The Boss Analyses The Big Win Over Kerala; Discusses Makeshift Defense And Play-Offs
On how the team will approach the play-offs…
It’s the most difficult part of the season, because the play-offs are finally here. We qualified with a lot of points and I think the pressure is on us. We need to realise that we are here, because of our good performance and need to be humble at the same time. Wins like these help your morale as well going into the big games. We have to wait and see who we face in the play-offs, but at the same time be ready because there aren’t many days remaining for the play-offs. Let’s keep going but having the right mentality is the most important thing as of now.
On resting Sunil Chhetri in the final minutes of the game…
Sunil has played more than anyone else in this season and that is more than 2000 minutes. He is a very special player and is always doing his best. At the same time, he is very competitive and likes to play every minute of a game. He had a good game today, and almost got a goal, but then at the same time Alwyn is also a good player who hadn’t had enough playing time. So we decided to go with him in the last few minutes of the game.
On the performance of the makeshift defense…
Yes I’m very happy with their performance. With Johnson and Juanan suspended, they stepped up really well and I don’t think we allowed Kerala any clear shot on target. So it’s a great show by them.
On whether making the play-offs was something expected…
When we started our season against Mumbai and Delhi, we had two good wins, but then we lost a few games as well. I have never felt that I am superior to anyone. My only focus is to push my team to train harder and perform better every weekend. And I think it’s because of that mentality, we are there in the top position which is very difficult to achieve in anywhere in the world. I’m very happy for the club, the players and the more importantly, the supporters. It’s definitely an achievement that we have finished first in the league stages of the Indian Super League in our very first season. But we have to be a little bit ambitious right now because we have a chance to be in the final. So we need to continue having the right mentality and being humble as we had so far.
