ISL 2019-20 | It was risky to put Ashique and Nishu at back, admits Carles Cuadrat
Bengaluru FC coach Carles Cuadrat has admitted, after their stalemate against NorthEast United FC, that it was a risky decision to play young Nishu Kumar and Ashique Kuruniyan at the back but stated that it was the need of the hour. BFC would be traveling to Goa for their next match on October 28.
The defending champions had a lot of promise to show in their first match of the season on Monday but the result didn’t go their way, as the players missed numerous chances in the first half that resulted in NEUFC settling down and controlling the second half.
However, Cuadrat’s team selection had surprised many as star acquisition Ashique Kuruniyan was seen playing a makeshift wingback on the left. Although he created a lot of chances from that side, BFC eventually missed many by the skin of their teeth. Cuadrat revealed that they have been working on different formations in the pre-season but it was still a risk to deploy Kuruniyan there.
“We had been working in the pre-season with different teams. We had lost Erik (Paartalu) and Albert Serran. They were injured. We knew before the game both were going to be a big miss for us in that kind of game, because the opponents were very physical.
“And with the pitch and the rain, it was physically demanding for the players. So, we tried to be safe in such circumstances. I am very happy with my players because from the first moment, they were going for the victory. It was quite risky in putting Ashique and Nishu both together in the backline because they are really young. But they understand the plan very well," said Cuadrat at the post-match press conference, reported ISL website.
Ashique, however, didn’t mellow down after being deployed out of position and kept the crowd at the edge of the seat for quite whenever he had the ball. And Cuadrat was one of the many who were impressed by him.
“We know his skills as a player. He is very fast and is also a good runner. I am very happy with his work in the team. He had a great game,” Cuadrat added.
Apart from Ashique, it was also a test for striker Manuel Onwu, who has been widely expected to fill in the shoes of Miku Fedor. However, while the striker was physically handy, his first touch and finishing was a disappointment. Cuadrat decided to be happy with his work ethic.
“He was doing a very good job. He had to play against two foreign central defenders, both had lots of experience and were very tall. So, he was managing that situation and was trying to work for the team,” he added.
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