SC East Bengal head coach Mario Rivera feels his team didn’t deserve to lose against Mumbai City FC. SC East Bengal lost the match by 1-0 after Bipin Singh scored in the 51st minute of the 98th match of the Hero Indian Super League at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Tuesday evening.

In fact, SC East Bengal took a total of five shots on target but they were not able to convert a single one of them. Furthermore, SC East Bengal had 47% of the possession. The club was not able to grab their opportunities, which went on to cost them.

Mario Rivera said in the post-match press conference, “When you lose only by one goal, it’s very difficult for the result to be closer. But for me, yes, because we didn’t deserve to lose the match. We had many opportunities to score. I think one or two penalties. It’s very often”.

Rivera revealed Antonio Perosevic had fever before the game and thus he could not play against the defending champions.

Rivera added, “Antonio woke up with a little fever during the day, he was a little better and he wanted to play. He traveled with the team but when we reached the stadium he was much worse and he said that he cannot play so we changed”.

Rivera also revealed why Darren Sideol didn’t start in the final XI of the team.

The head coach said, “Yes, because in the last 11 days he only trained for two days. He was also with a fever and he was only fit for 30 minutes and he played only that time”.

Speaking about the positives, Rivera said that the team will look to continue doing the right things in their remaining two matches.

He concluded, “Yes, of course, we have to keep doing the good things. Today, we did many good things and will try for the next matches. I think that the players are demonstrating that they can win against everyone and we will come back again to try again”.

SC East Bengal will next face NorthEast United FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Monday.