Sanjay Sen relieved with Maziya draw, praises players' fighting spirit, plays down injury concerns

MOHUN BAGAN COACH Sanjoy Sen feels massively relieved that his club has secured the top spot in their AFC Cup group by getting a draw out of Maziya away from home.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Sen said,

"We have achieved our primary objective, to be the group champions. That means we will be able to play the pre-quarter final tie at home instead of having to travel for it."

Sen said he was not worried by the fact that his team was going through a dearth of winning performances, having clinched only 1 victory in the last 7 matches they have played across all competitions: something that caused them to lose the I-League title race to Bengaluru FC,

"We have a good team. It was clear by the way we fought till the last minute of the game. It was this fighting spirit that got us that important goal and sealed us the top spot in the group."

Although the coach was eager to take only positives from the performance, there was palpapble anxiety in the Mohun Bagan camp over Sony Norde pulling out of the game at the last minute due to an injury, and Cornell Glen having to leave the pitch mid-game with a strain. But Sen assured that there was no cause for worry,

"None of their injuries are serious. Sony felt some pain in the spot of his old knee injury so I didn't want to risk him. Glen was also substituted as a precautionary measure. Both of them will be fit to play against Salgaocar in the Federation Cup."