Diaby’s red card cost us Newcastle game

Abou Diaby’s sending-off changed the game on Saturday. It affected us more psychologically than on the footballing side because we became too worried about protecting our lead as we were down to 10 men. Instead of continuing to play, we invited pressure. I thought we were very unlucky with some of the decisions as well but I cannot do anything about¬†that. It’s very frustrating to let such a big lead slip because we played a good game and we had an opportunity to take three points in the title race. Newcastle kept fighting, I knew at 4-0 the game was not over because it was important to keep our nerves and continue to play.

Against a team that has already ‘lost’ the game, when they get back into the game you are always under threat. That was very important for us, not to allow them to get back into the game. Therefore, we were certainly guilty by going down to 10 men. Abou was very disappointed after the red card and he has to try to get over that. It’s a shame because he had a great first half. His reaction could be explained by the fact he has been injured so many times from bad tackles that he lost his composure.

I was surprised by both penalty decisions too. But I am not the referee and I don’t think my opinion is very important now because we cannot go back and change it. Mathematically we dropped two points but psychologically the damage was bigger on Saturday because everyone was very disappointed in the dressing room. The future will tell whether we bounce back strongly.

In the Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars, in the Bangalore leg, Boys Sports Company defeated ASSC Centre of Learning by 2 goals to nil and over this weekend the soccer stars from Kozhikode have their chance to shine at the Corporation Stadium. With this we bring a wrap to the south zone and move next to Lucknow – the 18th & 19th of February at the Chowk Stadium.