NorthEast United FC succumbed to their third loss in a row and fourth overall in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 after Mumbai City FC got the better of them in a 2-0 win at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. A goalkeeping lapse and a defensive error allowed Balwant Singh to strike twice, but the Highlanders had their moments which they could not capitalise on.

Speaking to the media at the post-match press conference was NorthEast’s head coach Joao de Deus, who was frustrated with his team’s profligacy in front of goal. “I’m frustrated!” he exclaimed. “We create so many chances. We should win the game because we had more chances than the opposition. What cost us more is to see my boys do everything and to get a different result. It’s a bad phase, so we have to have enough strength to look to the future with a better perspective.”

Martin Diaz was substituted off just before half-time as were two of their most important players, Nirmal Chettri and Halicharan Narzary. Deus explained why. “Martin (Diaz) was a substitution because we want to go ahead and change the result,” he revealed. “Nirmal (Chettri) and Halicharan (Narzary) were substituted because they have an injury.”

While expanding on Chettri’s injury, Deus added: “Nirmal had a hamstring, but nothing serious. All these problems we had two weeks ago. He had to be substituted at half-time. When I substituted him, he couldn’t handle it anymore.”

The Portuguese head coach also insisted that his side must continue to practise hard. “We must be better on the details because that is what is making us lose the game. We need not be big experts to know that. Let’s continue to practise hard. We are all disappointed with the last three results. Let’s keep our heads up and try to become better tomorrow,” Deus said.