Sanjoy Sen: We struggled in the first half but came back strongly in the second

MOHUN BAGAN UNBEATEN IN THE FIRST FOUR GAMES were expected to be met with a speedy DSK Shivajians. And the home team did not disappoint with that. DSK shot off with pace immediately at the kick off and almost scored withing the first 15 seconds. Bagan were contained very well and came back into the game very late in the second half.

Sanjoy Sen took questions after the game from reporters.

How did the game pan out for you?

"The game was very good. There were lots of ups and downs. Both teams missed chances. We definitely struggled in the first half but came back strongly in the second half and could have won the match also. Katsumi from handshaking distance missed two sitters, Subhashish's shot struck the post. Even DSK had their misses. Yong's shot struck the post and somehow we didn't concede. In the league, we are going to win or lose points today or tomorrow but the important thing is we tried to win but failed."

In the pre-match, you said players need to cautious ahead of the young squad of DSK. We you expecting a tough time from the DSK?

"Yes definitely, I told the boys even before playing against Chennai City FC. People think Mohun Bagan or East Bengal will win against Shivajians but it is not easy. It's good for Shivajians and it is good for us as well" 

Norde was totally off-colour today. Your comment on that

"It does happen to any player. It's not any fitness issue but just that he struggled yesterday"

Prabir Das was brought in and played on the right flank and Katsumi moved to the center. Will this be a long term strategy?

"I have played this in the past as well. Katsumi is someone who can pair with the striker also. As the result of the move, we created two chances."

Do you think the DSK midfield created sort of a gap to make your team uncomfortable?

"Actually they played with 5 defenders and two strikers and two mids then switched to 5-4-1. In the earlier games, they played with 3-5-2 formation. We are aware of these formation changes and tactics were discussed. But we failed to utilise that"

Did the DSK midfield put pressure on your midfield?

"Yes they did in the first half and in the halftime we put pressure on them and created a number of chances."

Any update on Eduardo's injury

"I don't have any update on that as yet"

Barring the Minerva game, all other games for Mohun Bagan have been hard-fought unlike the trademark Bagan team

"I would say it is good for us as if they win after struggle and win it will be rewarding"

Now with the AFC Cup matches coming up, will there be a shift in focus

"After our internal meeting, we have decided to achieve something from the AFC campaign as well"

Mohun Bagan in their next game host defending champions Bengaluru FC on February 1, 2017.

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