ISL 2022-23: It will not be an easy game – Stephen Constantine ahead of NorthEast United FC clash

East Bengal FC head coach Stephen Constantine admitted that it will not be an easy game for his team against NorthEast United FC as all the matches in the tournament are going to be difficult. East Bengal hasn’t gotten off to a good start in the ninth edition of the Indian Super League as they have lost both of their matches.

The Kolkata giants lost their opening match of the season against Kerala Blasters FC by 3-1. Subsequently, they were beaten by FC Goa by 2-1.

On the other hand, NorthEast United FC is in the same boat as they have also lost both of their matches. The Highlanders were beaten by Bengaluru FC by 1-0 and then suffered a 3-0 loss against defending champions Hyderabad FC.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Constantine shed light on the team’s plans against NorthEast United FC, “We take each team that we face as a special case, every team is different, every team have different individuals and so we prepare for the NorthEast United FC the same way that we would prepare for Kerala Blasters FC and also for FC Goa.”

He added, “I watched them back. I thought they were extremely unlucky in the first match. At least not to get a point. They work very, very hard off the ball and it will not be an easy game as there are no easy games in this league. So, we will be disciplined, we will be aggressive and we will try to win the game and come home with all the three points.”

The experienced coach went on to add that he would have worried if his team had played poorly in the first two matches but he feels they played well in both games.

Constantine added, “If we will play really badly in both games, I would be worried. But we haven’t and we have shown some good moments in both games. So, I’m optimistic that we can play better and get and get the right result. You are not going to win all the games that you play, that’s for sure. But in both the games we had some very good moments particularly with goal in the second half and I think if we can produce that kind of play, good things are going to happen. As you said, we need to put those performances together and at the moment we haven’t done that.”

Meanwhile, Sumeet Passi has been put under scrutiny for his mediocre performances but Constantine reckons it is unnecessary and unfair.

He concluded, “He didn’t play very well in the last game. But so did a few other boys in the previous games. When we started pre-season, he has played in numerous positions for us and works non-stop. He has worked his socks off in all the games and in training. And this nonsense about Passi, you know, I think we have to be a little mindful. He has feelings as well and we have to make sure that all the players are okay. I think it’s unfair and unnecessary. And, you know, we have to think a little bit about the players’ feelings also. It happens, in football you make mistakes.”