ISL 2023-24: Our tempo went down after we scored the equalizer – Kerala Blasters FC’s Frank Dauwen

Kerala Blasters FC’s assistant coach admitted they lost their tempo despite scoring the equalizer against NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday. Both the teams shared a point each after their 1-1 draw in the ongoing Indian Super League.

Nestor Albiach scored for the tourists in the 12th minute to give a 1-0 lead to his team. However, the hosts were able to bounce back after Danish Farooq scored in the 41st minute of the game.

In fact, both teams could not take any further shot on target let alone scoring a goal in the second half. The Tuskers had 58.6% possession but they could not create more chances in the opposition’s half.

“We started well in the first half. But their first chance was a direct goal. We were a little bit unlucky because the striker (Albiach), we know. He gets a little too much space (which results in the goal). But the reaction after (conceding) was good. We put pressure on the ball and we made some runs in the offensive part of the field. But we were unlucky in some moments. I think we hit the post twice.. but after we scored the equaliser the tempo went down and I don’t know what was the reason for that,” Dauwen said in the post-match press conference.

Dauwen admitted his team needs to improve in the attacking line and they need to come up with their best to get desired results.

“We have to improve some things in the offensive (part). The goal in the first half that we gave away was due to an individual moment from the striker (Albiach) of NorthEast United, but in a defensive way we played very well. Also our offensive (moments) were good in the first half. But after 1-1..the tempo goes down. I don’t know what was the reason. We have to continue to work on our offensive moments in the last third of the field,” he explained.

Kerala Blasters will next take on Odisha FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday.