You can play against 11 players but not against the elements: NEUFC coach Benali

KOLKATA: “Sometimes, football is unfair,” were the very first words of NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali as he began addressing the media after their 3-2 loss to Mohun Bagan Super Giants in Kolkata on Monday.
While there was no dearth of appreciation from the NorthEast United fans at the Salt Lake Stadium, or those following it from elsewhere, for the show put up by their players despite the defeat to their glorified opponents, it was the second goal by Mohun Bagan captain Subhasish Bose that dominated the chatter on social media.
With the score reading 2-1 in the visitors’ favour, it was a fumble from NEUFC custodian Gurmeet Singh in collecting a header by Tom Aldred in the 61st minute that helped Bose in putting the ball into the net and giving the hosts the crucial equaliser.
Replays showed the Bagan skipper’s shoes stamping on Gurmeet’s left arm to get the ball in even as the goalkeeper was still holding the ball, albeit unconvincingly, leading some critics and NEUFC coach to feel that the goal needed to be disallowed.
“You only need to see the arm of the goalkeeper, Gurmeet, in blood. That’s enough!” Benali said at the press conference on Monday. “You can play against 11 players but not against the elements. And sometimes it’s the small details that are the game changers.”
While Bose’s equaliser dominated most of the interaction, Benali was also quick to acknowledge his team’s efforts on the field that made the Shield winners work hard for their first win of the season.
“But I am really happy and proud of my players because they showed that we are growing. We made silly mistakes, but we are growing. We went head-to-head against Mohun Bagan in this stadium and with a crowd like this,” said the Spaniard.
Last season’s top scorer for the Highlanders, Mohammed Ali Bemammer and star of their Durand Cup final against the same opponents, Alaeddine Ajaraie, were both on the scoresheet on Monday as the likes of Jithin MS kept the expensive Bagan defence on their toes. And the Michel Zabaco-led NEUFC will be eager to get the full points and their second win of season when they play their season’s first home game against Kerala Blasters next week.
For now, Benali, who believes ‘the fair result would be a 2-2 draw’, is ready to move on in quest for a memorable season.
“Today, we feel our scratches from the previous game and tomorrow we’ll start thinking about Kerala,” said Benali while signing off by reiterating, “Football is unfair and today (Monday) it was unfair on the NorthEast.”