NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali was delighted after his team registered a 4-0 win against ten-man East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong in the ongoing Indian Super League on Saturday.
The Spaniard said they will be ready for the playoffs irrespective of the venue. If Jamshedpur FC loses their final game against Chennaiyin FC, then the Highlanders will play their playoff game in home conditions.
Meanwhile, after a goalless first half, Nestor Albiach opened the scoring for the home team in the 59th minute. In-form Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored a brace for the hosts and then Mohammed Bemammer sealed the win for the team as he scored the fourth goal in the 86th minute.
“There are three teams on 38 points and we are third due to superior goal difference. But Bengaluru and Jamshedpur have one game left,” Benali said during the post-match press conference while speaking about the playoff match possibility.
“Whatever happens, will happen. If we have to play in Shillong, we will be ready and if we have to play away, we will be ready,” he added.
When asked if the pitch at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium would prove to be an advantage in the playoffs, the Spaniard denied the claim.
“The turf on this ground is not an advantage for us. The advantage is the fantastic stadium and the superb fans,” he said.
“We will wait to know which team we are facing in the playoffs. We respect all the teams, they are all tough teams,” he added.
Benali was happy with the performance of his team in the second half against the Red and Gold Brigade.
“The most important thing today was to give some players some time. We knew it would be tough against East Bengal FC. We corrected some positions at half-time and the goal came,” he commented.
