"We have time, and this win gives us confidence." - Dilmperis and Sahal Address the Media After Durand Cup Derby Victory
Mohun Bagan Super Giant kicked off their 2026 Durand Cup campaign with a gritty victory against arch-rivals East Bengal FC. In the post-match press conference, Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis and Man of the Match Sahal Abdul Samad shared their thoughts on the team's performance, tactical shifts, and areas for improvement.Despite the all-important Derby win, Dilmperis was pragmatic about the overall performance. He congratulated the players for their immense effort but acknowledged that the team is far from its peak. "Until the 60th minute, there was only one team on the pitch trying to execute the plan. But it's very natural after only three training sessions with me that there were missing quality actions in finishing and crossing," the Greek tactician explained. "I am super satisfied with the efforts, but not satisfied with the performance. The football we are going to play in October is far, far away from what we played today."
When asked about the team dropping deep defensively in the final 30 minutes and inviting pressure, Dilmperis clarified it wasn't the tactical plan. "We refreshed the frontline with four players with the idea to press high and not let East Bengal come close. However, injuries forced tactical reshuffles, like playing Mehtab at right-back. We shouldn't have dropped back, but it happened. The positive thing is this win gives us time and confidence to work on all aspects."
Dilmperis also heaped praise on goalkeeper Vishal Kaith for his crucial saves in the dying minutes, keeping the Mariners' lead intact. "He [Vishal Kaith] is the best goalkeeper in India. That is his job, and that's why he belongs to Mohun Bagan," he stated firmly.
Man of the Match Sahal Abdul Samad, who scored the decisive goal, expressed his joy and dedicated the strike to his wife. Speaking about his role in Dilmperis's system, Sahal revealed the tactical instructions behind his attacking presence. "The coach wants me to stay in the middle and drop into specific corridors. When we force the ball into the box, my job is to be there to score! We worked a lot on it in training, and I'm glad it finally worked out today."
Sahal concluded the session by sending a strong message to the Mariners' faithful. "We know we have disappointed the fans in the Durand Cup previously, but we will keep fighting. With the new additions to the team and the coach, we are ready to fight for everything!"
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