AFC Cup: We must not concede away goal – East Bengal skipper Mehtab Hossain

Mehtab Hossain

East Bengal skipper Mehtab Hossain has touched on the importance of not conceding in the first leg of their AFC Cup quarter-final against Semen Padang as an away goal for the Indonesian club could be decisive in the two-legged tie.

“The first leg being at home will only turn out to be an advantage if we can without conceding. We are confident of doing well but not overconfident. We recognise that it is going to be a tough game so a team performance will be required,” Mehtab stated at the pre-match press conference.

Much has been made about the change in East Bengal’s coaching department with Brazilian Marcos Falopa getting very little time to get used to Indian football but the India international assured that the former Myanmar coach has the support of the entire squad.

“When you are a professional player you have to deal with change whether it’s new players or coach. It is the duty of the existing players to help out the new players and coach. For success at any level, it is essential to work as a unit and that is what we are trying to do,” he said.

Mehtab talked about similarities in coaching philosophies of Trevor Morgan and Falopa and believes that the additions of Joaquim Abranches, Ryuji Sueoka and James Moga has made East Bengal a stronger outfit.

“(Like under Morgan) We still try to keep possession as much as possible and win it back quickly when we lose the ball. I think we are stronger now following the arrivals of Joaquim, Sueoka and Moga so hopefully we will get the desired result,” he concluded.