Blues’ Boss Discusses The NorthEast United Win While Praising ‘Keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte

Bengaluru FC got their first-ever away win in the Indian Super League after a dominant show in Guwahati where they emerged 1-0 victorious over Highlanders on Friday. Speaking post the tough encounter in cold conditions, Head Coach Albert Roca shared his views on the game, player versatility and ‘keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte’s return from injury.

On who dominated the proceedings in the game…

If you see the first 30 minutes in the game, we were much superior. We dominated the proceedings, and managed the situation as we wanted. We didn’t punish them much. In the second half, they made a mistake, then we scored and began to dominate again. We wanted to put them under pressure further by getting a second goal. But they too played an attacking game by bringing in more strikers and pumping in crosses while trying to press us. They did a quite well job as they are a physical team. The game could’ve changed in the last ten minutes of the second half, but I don’t think they were superior to us. I think we deserve this result even though they are a good team and fought hard.

On defenders Harmanjot Khabra and Rahul Bheke’s versatility on the field…

We know how they have played in different positions in the past and we have to take maximum advantage of this. I think both Bheke and Khabra did well despite the fact that it was a difficult game. Especially in the last ten minutes when NorthEast put pressure on us.

On ‘keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte’s performance…

Mawia’s performance was quite good. He saved a really good shot in the first half and was alert throughout the game. He was at the same level as the rest of the team and it’s a good sign for us.