East Bengal FC captain Harmanjot Singh Khabra urged his teammates not to get relaxed after the three points they won against Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) match and to continue to work hard to achieve their ultimate goal.

Brazilian forward Cleiton Silva’s brace helped the Red and Gold Brigade get their first win against Hyderabad FC in the ISL. After matchweek 2, East Bengal FC are placed in fifth place in the league table with four points. They travel to the Sree Kanteerava stadium next to face Bengaluru FC in their first away game.

Khabra who has won the ISL Cup twice with Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC explained how head coach Carles Cuadrat is trying to instil a winning mentality in the team ahead of the return to his former club. 

“You should not be satisfied with (the win). There's always room to improvise on your end. I think this is what we need to change our mentality as a player. He's (Cuadrat) been the champion from the other clubs. This is what his mentality is. So, this is a positive thing for East Bengal. This is what I have been working with him (as a defender), and everybody's very positive,” Khabra told indiansuperleague.com.

One player who has been showing this winning mentality has been Silva and Khabra praised the Brazilian for his contribution while also emphasising the importance of the bonding in the East Bengal FC side.

“It's good to see him (Silva) scoring, and he scored both the goals. I am happy for him. The way we have defended, the way all the team is working in the unit, I think that has been a tremendous job done by the team," he said.

“The credit goes to each and every person, even from the backend supporting staff. The way we are preparing for each and every game, we deserve these three points. But we have to keep going, and this is just a starting point,” the defender added.

East Bengal FC is going to face Bengaluru FC in their first away match of the season at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru and Khabra and Cuadrat who won the ISL Cup in 2018-19 with the Blues will be set for an emotional return. But Khabra feels he has found a way to tackle the emotions during such reunions. 

“I think most of the teams in the ISL are my former teams. It’s going to be a competitive match. And I urge all just to act as a professional,” he concluded.

 

 

 

 

 

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Bengaluru FCEast Bengal FC Harmanjot Khabra