ISL 2022-23: I am delighted that we won – Simon Grayson after Bengaluru FC 1-0 victory against NorthEast United FC

Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson was delighted that his team made a winning start to their Hero Indian Super League 2022-23 after they won against NorthEast United by 1-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday.

Alan Costa scored in the 87th minute for the Blues to help the home team secure three points in their opening clash of the season. Grayson, managing Bengaluru FC for the first time in ISL, gave credit to the supporters for backing the team.

Bengaluru FC recently won the Durand Cup and they were able to continue their good show against NorthEast United FC. The Blues took a total of 17 shots out of which only two were on target.

Simon Grayson said in the post-match press conference, “It was eventful, tiring, and exhausting. There was everything in the match which we probably expected. It was a great atmosphere from our supporters. There was no shortage of incidents and opportunities. From a coach’s perspective, I’d like a little bit of an easier match. I thought we started the game really well, created some good chances, and missed a couple of decent chances which normally we would expect to score. NorthEast United FC looked like a good team. They hit us on the counter-attack a few times and kept asking questions but our supporters got us through the game. In the last ten minutes, we got the goal and then we are thinking we have conceded. We ride our luck a little bit but it’s about winning football matches and I’m delighted that we have won.”

On the other hand, the Englishman heaped praise on Sivasakthi’s performance but feels the young striker should have scored as he got a couple of good opportunities in the match.

He added, “​​He is lively, he has earned the right to play because of his performances in the Durand Cup, his goals, and his application in training. The biggest surprise was that he didn’t score the couple of opportunities that he had tonight because he is a threat. He knows where the goal is but if he gets into these positions then he scores more goals than he misses. He is a constant threat and gives us something different compared to the more experienced players — Sunil Chhetri and Roy Krishna. I thought there were some really decent performances from the young players. Roshan (Naorem) in the first half was unplayable. So, overall pleased with the younger players, pleased with the experienced players but more delighted about getting three points in the first home game.”

Meanwhile, Grayson also shed light on the performance of Sunil Chhetri, who played a different role for the team as he was going back in the midfield.

Grayson said, “We started the game with Sivasakthi and Roy (Krishna) upfront and with Sunil (Chhetri) playing as a No 10. We had done that quite a bit in the Durand Cup. Javi joined back us in training after 4-5 weeks out, so he wasn’t really fit to start. You want your best players on the pitch in central areas that can create opportunities and hopefully take chances. We changed our system midway through the second half and went to 4-4-2 and brought different personnel on to get something out of the game. Chhetri then played a little bit deeper off Sivasakthi. As I said before Sivasakthi gives you something different with his pace, and his running while the other two are a little bit more clever. The years are catching up on them a little bit but they know where the back of the net is and how the game should be played.”

Bengaluru FC will play their second match against Chennaiyin FC at the JLN Stadium, Chennai on 14th October.