'There is no problem': Mohun Bagan coach Clifford Miranda goes defensive after Derby defeat

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Mohun Bagan SG coach Clifford Miranda says there is no issue in the team despite the damaging defeat in the Kolkata Derby against East Bengal on Friday (January 19).

Mohun Bagan suffered a 1-3 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals East Bengal and are now eliminated from the tournament. But Miranda is focusing more on the silver lines from their disappointing Kalinga Super Cup campaign.

"It was a game of minute details and mistakes. East Bengal capitalised on something that they didn't create. We made some mistakes and East Bengal took the chances. We got punished for small mistakes which is part of football. This happens all the time," Miranda said in the post-match press conference.

A strange penalty decision: Miranda

There was controversy in the match as Mohun Bagan weretold to retake a penalty after scoring. Dimitri Petratos missed the retake and that played a part in the outcome of the match.

"I don't know why the referee called for the retake. Unless you have VAR or someone thinks there is a clear infringement, you can't do that. It may have been on the referee's blind side which may have prompted him to give the decision. It was a strange decision, but it has happened and we can't change it," a baffled Miranda added.

"There is no problem in the team as such. The last game has no resemblance to this game. Yes, we lost the game but had we scored the penalty, things could have been different."

Raj Basfore substitution was a forced one

Clifford Miranda also defended his decision to take off Raj Basfore, who has having a good game. His replacement Ravi Bahadur Rana was at fault in the second East Bengal goal, but Miranda says the Red card possibility made him to substitute Basfore.

"I was concerned (about Ravi Bahadur Rana). He might have gotten a second Yellow and possibly we would gone down to ten. So, that was the reason (for taking Basfore off). He was having a fantastic game and I am happy for him," Miranda added.

The Mohun Bagan coach also believes the lack of conversion of chances is hurting them. He said the Mariners created enough opportunities to get all three points, but were just not clinical enough to get over the line.

To Miranda's defense, Mohun Bagan are missing a host of first-team players. As many as Seven players are on national duty with India in the AFC Asian Cup and that had an effect.

But the MBSG coach heaps praises on the 'future of the club'. The likes of Raj Basfore has shown his immense talent, while Kiyan Nassiri, Suhail Bhat and Abhishek Suryavansi have also made their presence felt in the Kalinga Super Cup.