ISL 2019-20 | We didn’t quite play as good as we did in Bengaluru, says Robert Jarni

The managers have now announced themselves in the tournament and we know who’s who. And amongst the new appointments this season, Robert Jarni has most definitely been the impressive one with two good results in the first two matches. 

While many expected the Highlanders to fizzle out into mediocrity after Eelco Schattorie and Bartholomew Ogbeche left the club following a successful last season, Jarni didn’t enjoy a huge confidence. However, after holding defending champions Bengaluru FC to a stalemate in the first match, the Croatian has led his side to the season’s first win on Saturday.

However, the manager sounded dissatisfied with his team’s display in the win. “It was an intense game. We were leading 1-0 and then they got a chance and scored. We got a bit nervous after that. But we responded well and I am proud of the players. I think we didn’t quite play as good as we did in the Bengaluru match but we got the result. That’s the most important thing,” said Jarni in the post-match press conference, reported ISL website.

NEUFC score in the second minute of the match through Redeem Tlang's early strike, but it was cancelled by Xisco Hernandez in the second half. However, the visitors were soon left with 10-men after defender Carlos Delgado was sent off one minute after the equalizer. Defending with 10-men was difficult and NEUFC’s persistence saw their star striker Asamoah Gyan finally hitting the winner on the 84th minute.

“It’s very important to win the first match. Everyone is really happy back in the dressing room. They are enjoying the moment," Jarni added.

A huge advantage for NEUFC were the home fans, who turned up in numbers to see their side’s first match of the season and their team didn’t disappoint them either. Jarni couldn’t praise them any more. 

“The fans were amazing today. They did exactly what I wanted them to do. I had said earlier that during tough times, support from the fans become crucial. When it was 1-1, they kept cheering us on and we went on to win the game. This win is for them,” he added.