Kerala Blasters FC assistant coach Frank Dauwen expressed his dissatisfaction with his team's inability to maintain their momentum after equalising in their draw against NorthEast United FC.

In an engaging Indian Super League (ISL) match, Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC settled for a 1-1 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday. The Blasters started the game strongly but conceded an early goal after a brilliant solo effort by Nestor Albiach.

The home team made an effort to stage a comeback in the second half and continued to create opportunities, but they struggled to break through their opponents' defence. After winning their first two home games, the Blasters dropped points in matches against Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United FC.

Dauwen was content with his team's performance in the second half but was puzzled about why they couldn't maintain their intensity after equalising.

“We started well in the first half. But their first chance was a direct goal. We were a little bit unlucky because the striker (Albiach), we know. He gets a little too much space (which results in the goal). But the reaction after (conceding) was good. We put pressure on the ball and we made some runs in the offensive part of the field. But we were unlucky in some moments. I think we hit the post twice.. but after we scored the equaliser the tempo went down and I don't know what was the reason for that,” Dauwen said in the post-match press conference.  

With several players missing the game due to suspension and injuries, the Blasters opted for a centre-back pairing of Hormipam Ruivah and Pritam Kotal, with Naocha Singh and Sandeep Singh playing as full-backs. Dauwen was content with the performance of the new defenders who came into the team but believed there was room for improvement in their attacking movements.

“We have to improve some things in the offensive (part). The goal in the first half that we gave away was due to an individual moment from the striker (Albiach) of NorthEast United, but in a defensive way we played very well. Also our offensive (moments) were good in the first half. But after 1-1..the tempo goes down. I don't know what was the reason. We have to continue to work on our offensive moments in the last third of the field,” he explained.