NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali remained optimistic about the Highlanders’ performance despite sharing points with 10-man Kerala Blasters FC in a goalless draw in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday.

The Highlanders took the upper hand since the offset and generated numerous clear-cut chances throughout the game, but their inability to convert those opportunities cost them points. Benali’s men displayed their offensive versatility as they generated several moves through both flanks, creating 16 chances and attempting 19 shots. However, the Blasters’ resilient defense line led by Milos Drincic, thwarted the visitor’s moves as the game ended in a goalless draw.

With that, NorthEast United FC recorded their fourth consecutive draw in the ISL, their outright longest such streak and the joint second-longest such streak overall for any team in league history.

Benali acknowledged the Blasters’ defensive prowess that prevented the Highlanders from breaking the deadlock. He addressed that his players were in a hurry while pursuing the opener as they couldn’t control their on-field emotions, despite dominating the game.

“We didn't get the goal. Well, Kerala Blasters FC defended very well. We were too in a hurry to arrive. We were not that calm. We were very anxious to score the first goal, and it doesn't happen like this. We need to be calmer, take the ball side to side, and try to open them,” Benali said in the post-match press conference.

“All the time we tried to penetrate, arriving at the side, just crossing... You have everybody in the back; you cannot just push the ball to push it. We need to learn. We did it many times, and we need that experience to calm down, especially in games like this. We used to play to space; we used to attack the spaces, and when we had a team waiting for us in the back, we were in a hurry; we thought we were dominating, and we were in a hurry all the time to score. And this is what happened,” he analyzed.

Since winning their last match in December against Mumbai City FC, the Highlanders have shared points in each of their four fixtures in January. NorthEast United FC played two goalless draws against Mohammedan Sporting Club and Kerala Blasters FC, and the games against Punjab FC and FC Goa ended in a 1-1 draw.

While quizzed about dropping points in recent games with such successive draws, Benali provided a theoretical reply, saying: “Well, let's take it the other way. I see the bottle half full; I don't see it half empty. I'm taking a point.”

The Spaniard seemed satisfied with sealing a point against the Blasters, that too in Kochi, considering they won back-to-back matches against Punjab FC and Odisha FC.

“I'm taking a point against Kerala Blasters FC, who won the last game, played very good football, had great players, and had a very good coach. In Kochi, we won a point,” Benali remarked.

“We won a point, and slowly, slowly we are going up. We take a position, we win one point, another point, three points, one point. That's the most important thing: we didn't lose. We took a point here, and we are happy with the point,” he continued.

Mayakkannan missed the recent game for the Highlanders due to a knock. Moreover, NorthEast United FC midfield orchestrator Mohammed Ali Bemammer was stretchered off the field during the game after suffering an injury.

Benali provided key updates on the availability of these players, saying,

“Mayakkannan has hurt his foot since before the last game, although he tried to play last game. He was in much pain. He travelled with us today. We gave him three days without touching the ball, and yesterday we did the test. Impossible; he cannot touch the ball. He has too much pain; this is why we took him out.”

“Ali (Bemammer) has a knock on the hip. We are going to do the test now to see how he is. He is too much in pain, but we hope it is nothing,” the head coach signed off.