SC East Bengal head coach Mario Rivera was delighted with his team’s performance after they were able to share the spoils against Chennaiyin FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in the 79th match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League on Wednesday.
Rivera feels his team has the skill to beat anyone in the league after they were able to make a solid comeback against the Marina Machans. SC East Bengal was once again under the cosh as they conceded twice in the first half after Hira Mondal scored his own goal in the third minute of the game.
Subsequently, Ninthoi gave a 2-0 lead to Chennaiyin FC as he found the back of the net in the 15th minute. However, SC East Bengal was brilliant in the second half as Sideol scored in the 61st minute while Terina Hnamte scored the equalizer in the 90th minute.
SC East Bengal took a total of four shots on target whereas both the teams almost had equal possession.
Mario Rivera said in the post-match press conference, “Yes, we were better in the second half. We set a very high pace of play and we created all the chances. It was an amazing second half”.
SC East Bengal’s midfielders were able to impress with their performance as they created chances for their strikers.
Speaking on the same, Rivera said, “Yes, maybe. But really it is the full team. We have a good defense, good midfield, and also great strikers. I’m very happy because Hnamte scored because he had a clear chance in the Kolkata derby and missed so, he was a little sad but he is a very nice guy and he wants to improve. I’m very happy that he scored the second goal and also for that and because many people spoke a lot about him and he had the chance to show the quality that he has”.
Rivera added that his team can upset the major teams of the league as the players have shown the right promise.
He concluded, “I think that this thing can beat everyone. We deserved to win the last match in the derby. And today we deserved to win clearly and this team can beat everyone and we will try for that”.
SC East Bengal will next take on Odisha FC on Monday at the Tilak Maidan Stadium.
