NorthEast United FC’s poor start to Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 continued after Kerala Blasters FC beat them 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday. CK Vineeth’s first-half header was enough to separate the two sides after the final whistle. TP Rehenesh’s red card just before half-time, also gave the hosts an added advantage. Post a frustrating 90 minutes for the visitors, indiansuperleague.com caught up with NorthEast’s defender Nirmal Chettri. Here are the excerpts from the interview.

Share your thoughts on tonight’s game.

It’s a really disappointing result, especially for the team. Losing 1-0 and going down with one man but still, we put up a great fight, throughout the 90 minutes. However, in the end, the result matters. Really disappointed but will not look into this match. We’ll look forward, we’ll dress ourselves and we’ll prepare for the next game.

What did you think about Rehenesh’s straight red card?

It’s always difficult going down a man and one goal down but still, all the guys gave their best and put all their effort. We left nothing but in the end the result matters. Still, great work by the boys. We’ll look at the positives and we’ll prepare now.

Any positives that you will take from this match?

I think in the second half we created some chances but couldn’t capitalize on the openings but still, a lot of positives from the second half. We will go back and we will work on the positives and prepare for the next game.

How did it feel playing in front of the roaring Kerala fans?

It’s always difficult to play an away game but still, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Kerala, however, is one of the toughest teams to play in an away game.