NorthEast United suffered a 0-2 defeat against Mumbai City at the Indira Gandhi Atletic Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. The result lands them a point above bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos who have a game in hand.
A visibly frustrated Joao de Deus lamented his team's profligacy in front of goal which ultimately resulted in the side's fourth loss in six games this season.
"I am frustrated. We created so many chances. We should win the games because we have more chances than the opponents. My boys came here to get a different result. Let's work hard, be patient and let us try to let this moment pass. It is not fair but this is football," said de Deus.
The NorthEast United head coach defended his tactics after the loss against Mumbai City and said, "We can change the strategy. The problem is [not just] the strategy and the players who are playing. We must be better with the details because that is what is making us lose the game. You don't need to be an expert to understand that. You don't have six or seven great opportunities to score [if the strategy is wrong]. We are disappointed with the results but if you stay depressed with the situation, it is not going to solve anything."
Defender Martin Diaz was substituted in the first half five minutes after the home side conceded the first goal and the coach said that the decision to replace the Uruguayan with Danilo Lopes Cezario was purely tactical.
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"Martin Diaz was substituted because we wanted to try and change the result. Nirmal [Chhetri] had an injury but nothing serious. He is putting in great effort to help the team," he added.
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