AFC Cup 2018: Santosh Kashyap blames goalkeeper's off-day for loss to Bengaluru

Soham Mukherjee

AFC Cup 2018: Santosh Kashyap blames goalkeeper's off-day for loss to Bengaluru image

Bengaluru FC continued their impressive form in the continental front as they defeated Aizawl FC 3-1 in a group stage encounter of the AFC Cup. Although the hosts opened the scoring through Leonce Dodoz, Bengaluru levelled things up just at the nick of half-time through Daniel Segovia. Then, two second-half goals from Rahul Bheke and Daniel Lalhlimpuia sealed the fate of Santosh Kashyap's men. 

The Mumbai based coach was far from happy with the performance of his shot-stopper Avilash Paul and he did not mince words to let it know. 

"It is the same old story. In the previous match also we took the lead and then we conceded silly goals. It was an off-day for the goalkeeper. In the second half also we created many chances but failed to convert. If we could have got one goal then thing could have been different. But they are a good and experienced team. We should have played better, but we will use this experience in the Super Cup and upcoming AFC matches as well," said Kashyap.

The former Mumbai FC coach also defended his decision of using defender Masih Saighani in midfield rather than playing at the back. 

"Masih is a good attacking player I believe. Therefore I use him in midfield in a more forward position where he combines well with Andrei. They put a lot of pressure. I still think we conceded silly goals and my goalkeeper had an off day today,"  Kashyap opined.

On the other hand Albert Roca, head coach of Bengaluru refused to believe that his team had a cake-walk and went on to praise the attitude of his players.

"We did not win easily. To come back from behind is always difficult. In the second-half we created enough chances to score. The quality of this team is that we never surrender. Happy to give opportunity to players who don't play regularly," said Roca.

Bengaluru looked out of their wits in the first-half in spite of having the bulk of ball possession. They lacked a creative spark in midfield which did not help their cause. But Roca chose to focus on the positives and defended his men.

"The most difficult thing is to score. But it is important to create chances. These players do not get out regularly so they needed time to get comfortable. It is not their fault and the blame is on me. But I am happy that we scored three goals," stated Roca.

Daniel Segovia, who had a mixed day at the office, accompanied his coach at the post-match press conference. He scored once and then missed another from the spot. But the Spaniard refused to be perturbed with the missed chance.

"It was my first penalty miss in the last two years. But this happens. I always want to score. But the more important thing is that how the team reacted and got two back-to-back goals," signed off Segovia.

 

Soham Mukherjee