Mumbai City FC manager Peter Reid was graceful in defeat after his side were humbled by a young and disciplined NorthEast United FC 0-2 at home. He gave credit to the opponents for being the better team on the park and also acknowledged that his team did not put its best foot forward today.“A lot of things conspired to go against us today. But I make no excuses, NorthEast United deserved to win,” the English gaffer said at the post match press conference. “When you end up with nine men it’s always going to be difficult and tough. I’ve got no complaints against the referee. We made rash tackles today and paid the penalty.”Asked what went wrong today after they had touched peak form in their 5-0 defeat of FC Pune City FC last week, Reid replied, “We didn’t play well today, we didn’t work their keeper, we didn’t create enough (chances), our passing was not incisive. I thought we were a little bit impatient, whereas they were well-organised. They dropped back and they made it difficult; we just didn’t have the patience. But that’s football, we need to learn.”The hosts were reduced to nine men when substitute Freddie Ljungberg limped off after Reid had used up all his three substitutes and defender Pavel Cmovs was expelled after collecting his second caution for the night. But Reid praised the fighting spirit of his squad despite the reverses on the pitch. “I know that we’ve been beaten 2-0 but the nine men on the pitch, they gave their everything. I couldn’t have asked for more, even in general play,” he stated.Reid also said that their opponents deserved due credit for their win. “Their two centre-backs, they are very experienced players, and then they tightened up the midfield and made it difficult for us,” he explained. He emphasised that keeping it tight was imperative because the first goal was going to win this.Reid also revealed that they had taken a risk by starting last match hattrick man André Moritz who played with a bandaged head, having slipped and fallen in the bathroom three days ago after contracting a stomach bug. The Brazilian was cleared by the team medics and he himself was willing to come out and play. “He was happy to play for 45 minutes. He wasn’t as explosive as he was earlier, but he did a good job for us,” the former Manchester City manager said.About marquee player Ljungberg’s injury, Reid said that “Freddie’s hamstring is gone and with my experience in football, tears in hamstrings are very difficult injuries and I don’t think it is good for us”.Ending the interaction on a positive note, Reid said the loss of Čmovš due to suspension and the shadow of doubt hanging over the heads of Ljungberg and Moritz, will be compensated by the availability of Nicolas Anelka and Syed Rahim Nabi. Indeed, every cloud has a silver lining and Reid hopes that his side can turn it in the next game.
