Bengaluru FC succumbed to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Maldivian club New Radiant in their AFC Cup group E match on Wednesday.
The Blues goalkeeping coach Edu Gasol reasoned that their opponents were a lot more intense on the field and admitted that the loss leaves them at a disadvantage in the road to qualification to the inter-zonal playoffs. New Radiant and Bengaluru have nine points from four games but the former has a head-to-head advantage.
"New Radiant played this game with a lot of intensity and that's how they've got the win. We have to learn from this because we have to work hard to qualify now," said Gasol.
"We didn't underestimate them. New Radiant stepped up at crucial points in the game and that's how they got the win."
In the home leg, Bengaluru edged past the Oscar Bruzon-coached side 1-0 but the two goals scored by Ali Fasir and Ali Ashfaq have handed them the advantage over the next two games. They will qualify if they win both their games.
"India and Maldives are two good footballing nations. All our games against Maldivian teams have been close fought and it's good for the sport in this part of the world.
"All we can do is go on and give 100 percent in our remaining games. We have to be focused and look forward to putting on better performances," the coach concluded.