Nelo Vingada: 'We were lucky at the end'

NorthEast United FC coach Nelo Vingada said that his team fought till the end to get lucky and score in the additional time to hold Chennaiyin FC 3-3 in the Indian Super League on Saturday here.

"It was a fantastic game for the fans. You could say that we got lucky in the end. But we fought to bring that luck upon us. I think we deserved the draw."

NorthEast United FC coach Nelo Vingada said that his team fought till the end to get lucky and score in the additional time > to hold Chennaiyin FC 3-3 in the Indian Super League on Saturday here.

"It was a fantastic game for the fans. You could say that we got lucky in the end. But we fought to bring that luck upon us. I think we deserved the draw."

He conceded that Chennaiyin played better on the day, and added that the result will keep his team in good stead for its last two games. "We've had close games - the loss to Goa, and the draw with Kolkata. But, in those games, we were better than the opposition. Here, Chennaiyin was better.

"This result is important for us. It's a morale booster and definitely makes us stronger for the next two games."

Chennaiyin FC coach Marco Materazzi said that it was "professional" of Mendy to have played on Saturday despite going down with fever on Friday. "He had fever yesterday (Friday). Maybe, he shouldn't have played. But he played, and it was was professional of him."

On his ISL future, he said, "Well, I don't know. The club has a say in the call too. It can evaluate my work. If it's my mistakes that kept the team from entering playoffs, I'll step up and own them. Otherwise, I've received a lot (from ISL). I think I've given a lot too."