ISL 2024-25: Jose Molina rues missed chances after first-leg semifinal loss against Jamshedpur FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina rued missed chances after suffering a 2-1 first-leg semifinal loss against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur in the ongoing Indian Super League on Thursday.

Javi Siverio scored the opening goal for the home team in the 24th minute whereas Jason Cummings equalized for the Mariners in the 37th minute. The home team was able to take the advantage as Javi Hernandez scored in the stoppage time.

Molina reckons they had clear chances to score goals in both halves but could not grab them. The visitors dominated the possession with 73.3% but took only three shots on target.

“In the first half, we had possession but we didn’t finish the actions too much. The second half was still better and with more chances, it’s true that with some points, the saves and the defenders broke (the play), but okay, when you play against a team with a line of six or seven, it’s not easy to score and finish the action. We played well. We had the chances. Clear chances. In the beginning of the second half, we had absolute two clear chances to score two goals and with 1-3 the match was over. But we didn’t score and finally, in the last minute, they took advantage of one counter-attack. We have to accept that. They played their cards and they were successful,” he said in the post-match press conference.

The Spaniard said they won’t feel home pressure as the crowd will support them in the second leg of the semifinal.

“Every time we play at home, it’s a pleasure for us. Not pressure. In front of our fans, it’s amazing. Do you know what it’s like to play in Salt Lake with 50,000 or 30-40,000 fans? It depends on the match, but in the next match, there will be a lot of fans. They will be supporting us and pushing us. No way that is pressure,” Molina responded.

The second leg between Jamshedpur FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Monday.