NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali was delighted to get three points after a 2-0 win against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur on Thursday in the ongoing Indian Super League.
The Highlanders’ in-form striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored in the sixth minute to put the visitors in front. The Moroccan forward scored his second goal of the evening in the 81st minute to close out the game. The 32-year-old has scored 20 goals in 21 matches of the ongoing tournament and has also provided five assists.
Benali admitted they didn’t play at their absolute best but more importantly, they got the points they needed.
“Very important win for us, in a very difficult field. A very difficult team to play against. It was not our best game we can say. We were not playing very good football but the most important (thing) at this time and this moment is not to play nice but to get points. We know how Jamshedpur FC play; their set-pieces, the long throws, long balls to the strikers and trying to get second balls. We tried to stop it. We stopped it most of the time and we got the three points. Happy to go back home with three points,” Benali said in the post-match press conference.
The Spaniard admitted it is difficult to play against a potent team like Jamshedpur FC and they tried their best to execute their plans.
“The strategy is easy on board but when you are in the field, a lot of things happen. And this is how it goes. I said it’s very, very difficult to play against Jamshedpur FC. But we’re happy to win the two games. Seven goals, no goals against us. That’s the most important and the three points at the moment with the last four games for us. It was a challenge and we got it,” he explained.
Benali lauded the collective effort of the whole team which has contributed in Ajaraie’s success in the ongoing season.
“It’s not only Alaa(eddine Ajaraie). There’s too many players who give the ball to support and make a penalty. Thoi (Singh), who was in the middle, who was defending, the full-backs, the goalkeeper, the players on the bench, the players that work hard so Alaa can score and this is what is important in a team. It’s not one player who makes the team. It’s the team who makes the player. Very happy for Alaaeddine.. Everybody is happy but I’m happy for the three points also,” he said.
NorthEast United FC will next take on Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong on February 21.
