The defeat left NEUFC languishing at the 9th spot with just 7 points from 8 games and they will next face leaders Mumbai City FC at the Fatorda Stadium on Monday.
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NorthEast United FC head coach Khalid Jamil was disappointed with his team’s performance in the 2-3 loss against ATK Mohun Bagan on Tuesday. The Highlanders committed too many errors and at times lost their defensive organisation, which cost them the match. VP Suhair had put NEUFC in front inside the opening two minutes before Liston Coalaco equalized for ATKMB on the stroke of half time. Hugo Boumous’ second half brace made it 3-1 for the Mariners while Mashoor Shereef’s late goal reduced the deficit for Jamil’s side.
Full time at Fatorda #NEUATKMB #StrongerAsOne #TogetherWeAreInfinite pic.twitter.com/6TmyErjamx
— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) December 21, 2021
Khalid Jamil said after the match, “We didn’t do well, that’s why we lost the match. That’s a simple thing.”
ATKMB scored the equalizer following a poor clearance from goalkeeper Mirshad Michu. The 27-year-old’s miss-kick gave the ball away to ATKMB. Roy Kirisha delivered a brilliant cross from the right to Liston at the far post. The Indian international’s header looped over the goalkeeper and into the net.
ATKMB took the lead courtesy of some poor defending. Krishna slid the ball through for Liston inside the box, initially NEUFC defended well to thwart the danger but couldn’t clear their lines and Subhasish Bose won the ball back and set up Boumous to slot home.
NEUFC conceded their third goal because of poor defensive organisation. Substitute defender Tondonba singh allowed Boumous to play a give-and-go with Joni Kauko and go through on goal. The Frenchman made no mistake from a one-on-one situation against Mirshad and made the score 3-1.
Khalid said about the goals conceded “Talking about the first goal, we can say it was an individual error. For the second goal, we were out of shape and for the third goal the man-marking was missing. So it cost us.”
The Highlanders have been struggling with injuries and a leaky defense. Injury to Federico Gallego early in the season was a big blow to them and now, it looks like Khalid also needs reinforcement in the back line.
The tea lacks defensive shape and absence of a leader is clearly visible. The likes of Hernan Santana and Patrick Flottmann needs to step up.
When asked about getting a defender in the January transfer window, Khalid said “There will be a replacement for Gallego but the rest we will have to see.”
Meanwhile left-back Gurjinder and central midfielder Khassa Camara were taken off because of injuries. Both of them have been bright spots in the team and Khalid would be hoping that the injuries are not a serious one.
“We have to check that. We are hoping that it won’t be very serious” The Indian coach said about injuries to Gurjinder and Camara.
The defeat left NEUFC languishing at the 9th spot with just 7 points from 8 games and they will next face leaders Mumbai City FC at the Fatorda Stadium on Monday.
