Bagan coach eager to take draw in a stride, says referee should have been more alert

AFTER BEING HELD to a 0-0 draw at the Cooperage by Khalid Jamil's Mumbai FC, Mohun Bagan coach Sanjay Sen said that he was not happy to miss out on the win, but said he'd take the draw and concentrate on the rest of the league.

Asked about the result, Sen said,

"It's a disadvantage for us. If you watch the game, the home team may have been playing for one point, but we went for all three. In the second half we controlled the game and created a number of chances. We could have scored at least one, if not two."

When asked whether this draw puts them at a slight disadvantage in the title race, Sen said he didn't think so,

"No it doesn't. It's not so easy to win these matches, especially when playing away from home. Thing is that we didn't lose either. We've played less games than other teams, so even one point is good for us in context of the league. One point can make a difference."

The I-League winning coach outlined his approach to the game, citing the physical football that Mumbai FC like to play,

"When the opponents are playing some destructive, rough football you have to keep your calm and wait for the chances. And in the second half we did create chances. Katsumi and Sony should have scored, but we were unlucky."

On the question whether Mumbai FC should have been a man down, Sen was a bit reserved in his response,

"The referee should have been more alert. I don't want to say too much or I'll get show-caused, but according to football rules there was a red card offence. I don't know why it wasn't given... but tough football is allowed, and referees are also human beings, so..."

Sen was asked if it was a persisting problem that his players always seem to struggle in smaller pitches like the ones in Mumbai and Shilling. The coach replied,

"I don't make excuses. Away matches are always tough. But you have to get acclimatized to the conditions and try to win. But away matches are always tough. So if we win in Shillong this season, maybe we can compensate for this draw."