NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) assistant coach Naushad Moosa has emphasized the need for his players to learn from their mistakes in recent matches to turn their fortunes around in upcoming games. The Highlanders suffered their second consecutive defeat after a 0-2 loss to Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.
Eventful First Half; Mohun Bagan Secures Third League Double over NEUFC
Both teams had opportunities to take control in a thrilling first half, but the game was eventually sealed by two brilliant second-half goals from Mohun Bagan SG.
Manvir Singh opened the scoring for the visitors in the 65th minute with a stunning left-footed strike.
Six minutes later, Liston Colaco doubled MBSG’s lead with a precise right-footed curler from the edge of the box.
This result marked Mohun Bagan SG’s third league double against NEUFC, with the Highlanders now failing to score in consecutive matches, leading to defeats under coach Juan Pedro Benali.
Quality of Goals & Unfortunate Circumstances: Moosa’s Thoughts
Acknowledging the quality of Mohun Bagan SG’s goals, Moosa defended his team’s performance while recognizing the brilliance of the opposition’s wingers.
“We saw the replay also. Such a beautiful goal. You really can’t do much about it. It’s the sheer quality of the two wingers. Hats off to them. Credit to both the players who scored the goals,” Moosa said during the post-match press conference.
The assistant coach added that the goalkeeper had no chance against either strike and emphasized the importance of sticking to their game plan.
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Missing Key Players: Injuries & Suspensions Take a Toll
Captain and defender Michel Zabaco missed the match due to injury, while Moroccan midfielder Mohammed Ali Bemammer was absent because of suspension. Moosa acknowledged the absence of these key players as a factor that impacted the team’s performance but praised their replacements for stepping up.
“Of course, when you don’t have your key players, it is an issue for your team, but we have other players who did well,” Moosa stated, referring to performances from Hamza Regragui and Macarton Louis Nickson, who impressed during the game.
Moosa particularly lauded Macarton’s role in controlling the midfield, describing his performance as a positive sign for the future.
NEUFC Needs to Capitalize on Scoring Opportunities
Moosa highlighted the importance of converting scoring chances, especially during fast-paced games with limited opportunities.
“In such games, you get a chance, and you score. What Mohun Bagan did was exactly that. They got a chance, and they scored,” he added.
The assistant coach believes that learning from mistakes and improving the team’s approach in key moments will make a significant difference moving forward.
Optimism & Focus on the Road Ahead
Despite the recent setbacks, Moosa remains optimistic about NEUFC’s ability to bounce back and end the losing streak. He emphasized team spirit, hard work, and mental strength as vital components to success in the coming matches.
“It’s very important to believe. You lost two games, but that doesn’t mean you are not a good team. We are a good team. It’s very important at this phase of time when we need to be for each other,” Moosa concluded.
With a long break on the horizon, Moosa believes this will give the players time to recover, recharge, and return with renewed determination.
“We have been doing well. But of course, we need to learn from whatever mistake we have been making. So, for sure, we will come back stronger,” he signed off.
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