Kerala Blasters FC head coach Mikael Stahre expressed his disappointment after a 4-2 loss against Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru in the ongoing Indian Super League on Saturday.
Sunil Chhetri and Ryan Williams gave a 2-0 lead to the home team in the first half. However, the Yellow Tuskers bounced back in the second half with Jesus Jimenez and Lallawmawma finding the back of the net.
However, Chhetri scored in the 73rd minute and the veteran put the game to bed as he completed his hat-trick in the stoppage time.
Stahre said in the post-match press conference, “Yes, I think they came out a little bit better than us.”
“Not much, but they (BFC) were sharp, and of course, for the first goal, it was a fantastic cross and a great finish. I think that (Sunil) Chhetri was great in this game. A perfect header, and it’s just him in the far post, but of course a great goal. That influenced the rest of the first half,” he added.
Stahre admitted that Chhetri’s opening goal in the eighth minute put them under the pump.
“I think we were under the stress of that (opening) goal. It was quite an even game in the first half. Then they scored the second goal, and we lost the duel around the midline. Then it was a fantastic finish, actually,” he commented.
The Swedish football manager added it was mentally tough for them after going 2-0 down in the first half.
“Mentally, it was really hard for the players in the halftime. But I must highlight that I’m really proud of the guys. It’s not easy. It’s a hard away game, playing against a rival, a derby, with 2-0 down,” he said.
Stahre added he is proud of the way they bounced back in the second half to equalize the score but at the same time, he was disappointed with the loss.
“I’m really, really proud of how the guys reacted in the second half. We came out, we didn’t get stressed, we played in a calm and instructed way,” he remarked.
“We scored 2-1 quite early. We spoke about not rushing anything. When we scored the first goal in the second half, then they would be stressed. That was exactly what happened in the game. We scored 2-2, and I think everyone in this room as well felt that at that moment, the momentum was for KBFC,” the head coach carried on.
“I’m really disappointed with the defeat. I’m really proud of how our team is responding. We are mentally strong. But it’s hard to admit that we conceded two easy goals,” Stahre signed off, sharing his displeasure at losing against the Blues.
Kerala Blasters FC will next take on table-leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Saturday.
