Punjab FC head coach Staikos Vergetis was pleased with the defensive resolve shown by his team during the 0-0 draw against East Bengal FC in Kolkata in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday. 

The Shers secured their fifth draw of the season and their third on the bounce as they frustrated as East Bengal FC side that put five past NorthEast United FC in the previous matchweek. 

Vergetis felt his team’s defensive performance was very satisfying, especially having come at a tough place like Kolkata. 

“Defensively, we were very well prepared. The players had faith in the plan and were disciplined. We didn't allow the opponent to create clear-cut chances,” he said in the post-match press conference. 

“We had some problems on the transitions sometimes when East Bengal FC found free space and reached our area very fast. But we faced this situation (well),” he added. 

“Offensively, I was expecting more from our team. We didn't create many chances even though we had moments on transitions but we didn't take advantage of that,” he continued. 

The Greek head coach felt the result was a fair one but felt his team went a level up with their defensive organisation. 

“The opponents pressed us with long balls but our players defended well to keep the clean sheet. I was worried a little in those moments. But for most parts, we controlled the game,” he said. 

“Today, we didn't have too many chances and we weren't much better than the opponent for me to be unhappy with the draw. But I appreciate the defensive functioning of our team. We made a step up in this phase,” he added. 

Vergetis feels his young team is learning with each game and will soon find their scoring boots as the players develop. 

“We would like to create more chances but when you play with so many youngsters against big players, famous players of the national team, we have to be careful. We now are starting to build the careers of these youngsters,” he concluded.

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