ISL 2017/18: NorthEast United deserved a draw against Bengaluru FC, says coach Avram Grant

After losing 2-1 to ISL table topppers Bengaluru FC on Friday, NorthEast United coach Avram Grant bemoaned his side's lack of finishing but also claimed his side deserved to come away with at least a point.

"It was a difficult game for both sides," Grant said. "We weren't able to create chances. We know they have very good forwards. They're a good team. I think we made their life difficult but they still won."

"We didn't start the game so well but Bengaluru had one chance in the first half and they scored from a set-piece. But we did well to equalise. We were a better side in the second half but we didn't succeed with the final pass - especially from the sides."

"But then one mistake - a deflection off the leg of our player - we lost the game there." Sunil Chhetri was able to pounce on a deflection off defender Samba and his shot from a tight angle gave Bengaluru FC the lead and the win.

"I think the game should have ended in a draw. No team deserved to win but then this is football. You can score goals from set-pieces, combination play or from mistakes by the other team.

"I think this game was one with a lot of chances but it was a game that should have ended in a draw."

Grant also mentioned that they had done their homework on Bengaluru and knew they were a threat from set-pieces. The first goal came from a free-kick when defender Juanan nodded in Edu Garcia's cross into the box.

Juan Antonio opened the scoring for Bengaluru FC from a set-piece [Image: ISL]

"We knew that Bengaluru scored a lot of goals from set-pieces. We prepared for this. We knew the targets would be the tall players and their delivery was good.

"We also had two good corners but we make good contact with the ball. That's the thing about set-pieces; it's not part of the game but it is a part of the game."

What do NorthEast United need to do to improve?

With six games to go, a top four finish may seem out of reach for the Highlanders even if it is mathematically possible for the team that is currently in ninth place. But going forward, Grant thinks they can still improve and finish higher up the table.

"I think we've moved up a lot in the table. In the last four games, we won twice. The two games that we lost we didn't deserve to lose because the other team was not better than us.

"So we need to improve a lot of things. But in general I think the team is improving well and that is why I'm not happy with this result because we didn't get a point that we deserved."