ISL 2019 | Our season has been memorable, says Eelco Schattorie

03/12/2019

NorthEast United manager Eelco Schattorie heaped praise on his team that made it to the playoffs of the ISL for the first time in their history. Bengaluru FC manager Carles Cuadrat admitted that his players stuck to the plan and executed it well to reach the final for the second consecutive season.

After losing narrowly by a 2-1 scoreline against NorthEast United in Guwahati last week, the Blues had a tough job at their hands back home. They had to beat a side that had conceded only 18 goals in the league stages and lost only four times on 18 games, and after a goalless first-half, that possibility looked grim.

However, the villain from the first half, Miku eventually opened the scoring for BFC and they couldn’t be stopped thereafter. NEUFC’s biggest loss in the first leg was top scorer Bartholomew Ogbeche and it was further compounded by Federico Gallego’s injury last night. And Schattorie agreed that it affected the side’s performance.

“First of all, congratulations to Bengaluru. Our season has been a memorable one. We only lost four times. That means we are doing something great. There were a lot of games where we played some good football. In today’s game, we lost two key players. First half, Bengaluru could have scored, they had some good chances. In the second half, we lost Federico Gallego. He broke his leg, which is terrible. But overall, I think we can be very proud," said Schattorie, reported ISL’s official website.

However, despite the injuries, BFC were definitely the dominant side on the day with the first half seeing Miku missing as many as three sitters. Though the first goal was a defensive error, Schattorie admitted that his side wasn’t the best in terms of quality.

"Miku made the difference. The first goal was an organisational mistake. We did not play at all and I know the reasons why. If you don’t keep the ball you will keep dropping back. The second goal came from the counter and the third goal I think was offside. But the difference is quality and that is very simple," he said.

Though a bit scrappily, but BFC did get the job done after being harshly done in the first leg. Manager Cuadrat was happy with his side’s display and admitted that keeping his players fit, which had resulted in poor results, eventually paid off as Dimas Delgado and Chhetri, apart from Miku, got the job done.

"I think that we did the job from the first minute. We were patient with the ball and we were trying to score. I think it was the typical second leg semi-final where they wanted to punish you in the counter-attack. I am very happy for the players, they did a wonderful job. I am very happy for the supporters," said Cuadrat.

“I am happy because it is a big challenge. I am happy that the club gave me this opportunity. I think that we have been competing well all year. The last few results were not good. I was trying to keep my players fit. We missed Erik (Paartalu), but the rest of the players that have been on the pitch have been doing a good job," he added.

ISL 2019 | Our season has been memorable, says Eelco Schattorie

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