ISL 2021: Baxter disappointed with team’s performance after draw against Bengaluru FC

Odisha FC was held to a draw by Bengaluru FC in the 70th match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday. Odisha got the lead in the eighth minute of the play when Diego Mauricio scored after a free-kick was quickly taken by his team.

However, Bengaluru FC came back with the equalizer in the 82nd minute when Paartalu scored with a header from a corner. Odisha FC head coach Stuart Baxter was frustrated with the team’s performance and lamented with the performance of his team to close out the game.

Odisha had their opportunities but they couldn’t grab them, which was frustrating for Stuart Baxter.

“I am frustrated with many things; our inability to put the game to bed, to defend the 90 minutes without making elementary mistakes. In set-plays, Bengaluru decides many games. If you look at the game, that was where their main threat came from. We gave away silly freekicks and throw-ins,” Baxter said after the match. 

Odisha FC goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh made many saves for his team but Bengaluru FC earned a point through a set-piece. Baxter is hopeful that his team will learn from its mistakes in the coming matches.

“The team has to learn from it. That is the next step in their development. We are playing well enough now regularly to win games… All of their chances came from long balls and free-kicks. We could have won the game playing the way we did,” said the Odisha head coach. 

On the other hand, the Blues interim head coach Naushad Moosa revealed that his players are disappointed with the result and they should have done better.

“Players are more frustrated than me. They have been trying hard. If you see the second half, we created a lot of scoring opportunities. We need to keep our heads high and keep moving. We need to stay positive.” 

Bengaluru FC will now take on Hyderabad FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on 28th January whereas Odisha FC will face Jamshedpur FC at GMC Stadium, Bambolim on 1st February.