After his team rallied from behind to overcome visiting Maziya S&RC 2-1 in their penultimate Group D encounter of the AFC Cup on Monday at Dhaka’s Bashundhara Kings Arena, Bashundhara Kings coach Oscar Bruzon warned that nothing has been done.
The Bangladesh Premier League champions top the four-team table with 10 points from five games and are in pole position to advance to the competition’s zonal semifinals as the second-ever Bangladeshi club after Abahani.
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan was on seven points and Odisha FC was on six points when Bruzon spoke to reporters at the post-match meet.
Bruzon did not want the game between Mohun Bagan and Odisha in Kolkata to end in a tie.
“It’s a good thing we’re still at the top. Let’s see what happens. “I am sure you will ask about the other game [between Mohun Bagan and Odisha], and I will anticipate what we don’t want is a draw,” Bruzon remarked after the game at the Kings arena.
“If we draw, there’s a chance we’ll finish third after the next match [against Odisha FC on December 11].” So we are in a position of advantage, but nothing has been done.”
Bruzon would be thrilled that the game finished 5-2 in Odisha’s favour, which means Kings must avoid defeat to Odisha to win the group.
The Spaniard thanked the sold-out audience for their support during the game. Bruzon is concerned, however, because he has given up the lead in every match in this competition thus far.
“First and foremost, this comeback will not be possible without our home crowd.” So I want to thank all of our fans for providing such a good atmosphere here in the arena for our players,” Bruzon remarked.
“Secondly, in five AFC games, we always conceded first and then had to come back with all our heart and change the initial plan to do a comeback.” It’s great that it’s working so well, but we can’t keep [creating such comebacks].”
At one point, Bruzon became frustrated as his players failed to convert goal-scoring opportunities.
“The game was extremely difficult, particularly in the first half.” Then, in the second half, we instructed our guys to play more vertically, to avoid the central areas where Maziya was gathering a lot of men, and to go for crosses more.
“I was disappointed that, once again, we created more than ten open and clear chances and it has been very difficult for us to convert the goals,” Bruzon said, adding that he was convinced his team could win the game if they could equalise the score.
“It is true that I saw a very dark cloud over Bashundhara Kings Arena in minute 70 of the game, and it was really difficult because we were creating a lot but couldn’t take them home.”
“The first goal was the game changer and I was sure that we would get the second goal once we got the first goal.”