ISL 2023-24: We played a good game against a good team, says NorthEast United FC’s Juan Benali

NorthEast United FC’s head coach Juan Benali feels they played a good game against a good team after their 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday. The visitors took the lead in the 12th minute of the game when Nestor Albiach found the back of the net.

However, the home team was able to bounce back after Danish Farooq scored just before the half-time break. In fact, both the teams took a solitary shot on target and they were both able to convert from it.

Benali said he was not happy with the result and shared his disappointment after both teams shared spoils.

“I am not happy with the result. I came to win. I am never happy with a draw. We came to take the three points but we could not take it. We played a good game in front of a good team and a very nice atmosphere but one point was not good enough,” Benali said in the post-match press conference.

In fact, Benali reckons they are a tough team to face and he is trying his best to build a potent team. The gaffer added that the players are trying their best in the training sessions to improve themselves.

“We are a difficult team to play against. We can go forward. We are building a very good team. Slowly we are showing everyone that we are not easy to play against,” he said.

“We have been in NorthEast United FC for four and a half months now. We are building a team from scratch with some players from last season, new and very young players including some veteran foreigners. We only think game by game now. We will start thinking about the game against Jamshedpur FC. Now after four games we have the same points as last season. It is very positive for us and we are looking forward to the next game.”

NorthEast United FC will next take on Jamshedpur FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Thursday