ISL 2021-22: We will try to win the last match for fans – SC East Bengal’s Mario Rivera

SC East Bengal head coach Mario Rivera has stated that they will try to win the last match for their fans. The club might once again finish as the wooden spooners in the ongoing Hero Indian Super League as they have managed a solitary win out of the 19 matches they have played and they are currently in 11th place as they have 11 points under their bag. SC East Bengal has so far lost 10 matches while they have drawn eight games.

SC East Bengal’s penultimate match against NorthEast United FC ended in a 1-1 draw at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Monday in the 104th match of the tournament. Sahanek scored the opening goal for the Highlanders whereas Perosevic equalized for SC East Bengal through a penalty.

SC East Bengal had 53% of possession and they took six shots on target but could only convert one. Thus, they dominated the contest and Rivera believes they should have won the game.

Mario Rivera said in the post-match press conference, “​​Yes, we should have won the match. We took many shots, almost 18, we made everything to create a chance and to have the chance. But we couldn’t score one more goal”.

Rivera revealed that Darren Sideol could not take part in the match due to injury and his participation in the next match will depend on his fitness.

He added, “He injured his ankle in the warm-up. We don’t know, we have to wait for the test tomorrow to check him. After the test tomorrow we can only tell if he can play in the next match or not”.

Rivera said that Nepal’s defender Ananta Tamang could play in the next match if he proves his fitness.

He said, “​​Let’s see, he only made it to the one training session the day before the match. We will see tomorrow if he’s fit or not fit after the quarantine. If he’s fit we will use him”.

SC East Bengal has always received massive support from their fans and Rivera added that they will look to win the next game and dedicate the win to them.

He concluded, “Yeah for the fans, we have to tell them that we tried and fought till the end. They can see that in our matches and we will try to win the next match and dedicate that win for them”.

SC East Bengal will play their last match of the season against Bengaluru FC on Saturday at the Tilak Maidan Stadium.