Facing a loss wiht 3-0 by Mohun Bagan SG against Hydrebad FC fans were left heartbroken.
But the coach Shameel Chembakath pinpointed crucial growth areas, emphasizing the need to reduce defensive errors, improve goal conversion, and develop the experience of young players for future success. Chembakath’s analysis of the Mohun Bagan SG defeat focused on the team’s inability to capitalize on possession
How Did Coach Chembakath Analyze Hyderabad FC’s Defeat to Mohun Bagan SG?
Interim head coach Shameel Chembakath reflected on his team’s 3-0 loss to Mohun Bagan SG, underlining their dominance in possession while ruing missed chances and lapses at the back.
Starting on the wrong note, an early own goal by Stefan Savić saw the Nawabs concede early in the game. Though they created promising attacking moves, too, Hyderabad just could not turn it around as Tom Aldred and Jason Cummings further moved the scorecard. Chembakath admitted that his side controlled the tempo at times but early mistakes in the match made things worse.
Chembakath said Hyderabad FC had the right game plan, but they needed to sharpen their defensive game. It was evident that the team lacked that clinical finishing touch, given seven shots on target barely broke through Mohun Bagan’s defense.
Coach Chembakath Praises Team Effort Despite Early Errors
Despite Hyderabad FC’s 3-0 loss to Mohun Bagan SG, interim head coach Shameel Chembakath did not mince words but gave full credit to his team’s overall effort. The result might have been hard to swallow, but Chembakath thought the players gave it their all on the field, even though things didn’t go according to plan.
“The early mistakes were like a spanner in the works,” said Chembakath, referring to the own goal from Stefan Savić and subsequent defensive lapses that handed Mohun Bagan a two-goal cushion. “Overall, I’m proud of the boys’ effort. They played with heart, and at times, they executed the game plan to a T,” Chembakath said.
However, the coach did not mince words about the areas that need improvement. “We made some silly mistakes, and that’s something we need to clean up,” he added.
Emphasis on Strengthening Defensive Strategies
Following Hyderabad FC’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Mohun Bagan SG, interim head coach Shameel Chembakath pulled no punches as he insisted on tightening up their defensive game. The team controlled possession and enjoyed more passes, but defensive lapses cost them dear, and Chembakath acknowledged that they had to “shore up” their backline if they were to compete with top teams.
The defense really let us down at key moments,” said Chembakath. “We handed them the game on a silver platter with those early mistakes, and when you’re playing a side like Mohun Bagan, you can’t afford to give away freebies,” he further said, hinting at the own goal and some loose defending that led to the Mariners taking control of the game.
He, first of all, said that they needed more discipline, positioning, and communication in defense. He believed players had to read the game better and be more “switched on” in terms of anticipating threats.
He stressed that some work needs to be done with defensive drills and tactical awareness and that tightening up their defense would hold the key to any hopes of bouncing back and getting the results that they need in future matches.
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Reducing Mistakes to Be the Focus of Training Sessions
After Hyderabad FC’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Mohun Bagan SG, interim head coach Shameel Chembakath was emphatic that reducing errors would be at the core of their next training sessions. While HFC enjoyed possession and completed more passes, it was those “slip-ups” and “unforced errors” that cost the Nawabs dear in Kolkata.
We shot ourselves in the foot with those early mistakes, said Chembakath, pointing to the own goal and the defensive errors that saw Hyderabad behind the eight-ball from almost the kick-off. Once you give the lead away, you will find it hard to come back, especially when your opponent is a top side like Mohun Bagan.
He even nailed it succinctly that clearing those mistakes would be the catchphrase to proceed over. “We need to iron out the kinks in our play and be more “on the ball” in key moments,” he said. Chembakath went ahead to insist that avoiding such “silly errors” is very significant and will always go a long way to make this team stand the test of rivalry.
Improving Goal Conversion is a Priority
Interim Head Coach Shameel Chembakath of Hyderabad FC made it crystal clear that improving on the conversion would be high on the agenda ahead of their training after the 3-0 loss against Mohun Bagan SG. The Nawabs, despite keeping possession and finding many chances, were unable to “seal the deal.”.
“We had the opportunities, but we didn’t “pull the trigger” when it mattered,” Chembakath said, pointing to seven shots on target that did not find the back of the net. “We need to be more clinical in front of goal and “finish what we start”-it’s as simple as that,” he added. While they can create, there has to be more efficiency in the final third, the coach said, adding that the attacking players need to “step up to the plate” and take their chances.
Developing Experience Among Young Players
Following Hyderabad FC’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Mohun Bagan SG, interim head coach Shameel Chembakath spoke about the need for experience to be developed among the club’s youngsters.
The youngsters are the future, but at this moment, they have to “learn the ropes” in these crucial moments,” Chembakath said. “It’s all about gaining that “match sense” and how to handle the pressure against top sides like Mohun Bagan,” he added. The young guns could not make much difference when the match was hanging in the balance.
Chembakath emphasized the need for his youngsters to “keep their heads” and not get rattled in crucial moments. “When you’re up against seasoned professionals, you’ve got to “stay cool under pressure” and not let the game get away from you,” he explained.
Chembakath says the youngsters will take time to get into such high-pressure situations with game-time experience. He wants them to “take it on the chin” and use each defeat as a stepping stone to “sharpen” their skills, knowing experience will come with time, commitment, and hard work.
Highlighting Abhijith PA’s Contributions
Despite Hyderabad FC’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Mohun Bagan SG, interim head coach Shameel Chembakath spared time to appreciate the contributions of young midfielder Abhijith PA.
Abhijith really “stepped up to the plate” when he came on,” said Chembakath. “He was “all over the pitch” towards the end with his eagerness.” Abhijith, brought into midfield from the bench by Goddard, showed some glimpse of creativity and vision in attack with his display at the fag end of the match.
Chembakath said the team as a whole faced hurdles, but Abhijith’s performance was a silver lining. “He’s still “finding his feet” in these big games, but you can see his potential,” the coach added. “When you have young players like Abhijith, you’ve got to “give them the ball” and allow them to grow in these high-pressure situations.
