ISL 2023-24: Everything went wrong, says NorthEast United FC’s Juan Pedro Benali after loss against East Bengal FC

NorthEast United FC’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali admitted everything went wrong after their ignominious loss of 5-0 against East Bengal FC in match week 8 of the Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata on Monday.

Borja Herrera scored the opening goal for East Bengal FC and it opened the floodgates for the home team. Cleiton Silva and Nandhakumar Sekar then scored a brace each to help their team win comprehensively and claim all three points.

Benali admitted the marking was bad from his defenders and it led to their downfall as they could not contain the opposition.

“I think it was a bad day to be in Kolkata today for us. Everything went wrong. Defensively, in attack, everything else,” Benali said in the post-match press conference.

“The marking was very bad, we didn’t hold the ball efficiently, the passes were only backwards, not changing sides. Defensive, the crosses, (we) were not able to defend the process. We did a lot of mistakes. Even, we had the chance to go to one (goal) in the first half. It will give us more hope for life. (But) At the moment we’re going to make changes,” stated Benali in the post-match press conference.

Meanwhile, the Highlanders missed the services of Moroccan defender, Mohammed Ali Bemammer, who is known for his great work on the pitch but Benali reckons his absence was not the only reason for their loss.

“He (Bemammer) is a very important player for us. But it’s not only the mistake of the midfield, I mean, it was a little bit of everything. Each one was out of his position, you know. We didn’t perform as we should do. We were a little bit nervous. During the first half, we saw the two goals just leaving the players to receive alone, playing alone. We don’t follow the one-twos. It’s a lot of mistakes.”

NorthEast United FC will next take on Hyderabad FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday.