Owen Coyle talks about the outcome of the game against ATK Mohun Bagan and it affecting the qualification hopes for the team. The Gaffer also talks about the tactics used in the game and the team’s plans for the last two games of the league stage.

Here are the excerpts from the post-match interview:

On whether the result was a fair outcome for the team

No, a loss obviously was not going to be a fair outcome for us. Only one save kept us away from the win which could possibly be the save of the season by Arindam Bhattacharja on the header that Valskis attempted at goal. It could have given us the lead to win the game. We were comfortable on the field and I don’t think ATK Mohun Bagan got any shot on target in the second half. Our one mistake of giving the ball away led to their goal. So, it is certainly far from being a fair result for us.

On the loss putting a dent in the qualification hopes for the team

Yeah I certainly felt we were inclined to win the 3 games up ahead of us and we did need as many points as possible from these games to qualify. But that being said, I still have a feeling we are in the race, even though we are 3 points behind from the teams who are competing for the top 4 spots. We will try and win the final 2 games to grab the 6 points from it. Yes, we did not earn any points from this game which if we had, we would have been right in the competition for the qualifying spot, but sadly we did not win.

On whether we had a plan against ATK Mohun Bagan’s last minute goal-scoring tactic

No doubt they are a very good side and they win many games, but I think this win is something we gave to them easily as we gave away the ball in a risky position which led to the goal they scored. Just a few minutes prior to that, their keeper made an unbelievable save. At the end of the day, they have won the game and good luck to them moving forward, but we were also deserving of the 3 points considering the way we performed.

On being the second best despite giving a tough fight tonight

Yeah we are the second best. We had a couple of chances to score including that header and their one shot on target in the second half ended up being a goal which won them the match. So, there is nothing much to say. ATK Mohun Bagan have moved up to the top of the table, but we could have won the game or drawn it but we surely did not deserve to lose it.

On subbing in Valskis and Isaac mid-game being a tactical move

No, we obviously needed fresh legs on the pitch when we reached the final half hour of the game. Valskis and Isaac are both fantastic players and they unfortunately missed out on the last game after picking up an injury. It was great to sub them in after which they brought the threat to the opposition with a wonderful cross from Isaac and a header from Valskis. So, that is what was needed from them.We had threatened them well from that point onwards.

On NorthEast United’s winning affecting the mentality of the game tonight

No, I was unaware of the outcome from the earlier game and I only got to know the result now after our game, so there was nothing like that going in our minds. We just wanted to make sure that we do our best,  but we are disappointed to lose a tough game. However, we still have 6 points available to grab and we will try to achieve them

On the plans for approaching the last 2 games

Honestly, we had 2 players who were on the field after taking painkillers and injections after taking some heavy damage and injuries from the earlier games. But, the way we played against ATK Mohun Bagan despite the existing injuries is commendable. These men have given everything they can on the field and that is exactly what we have to do against Mumbai City as well.