ISL 2024-25: Manolo Marquez shares satisfaction after win against Mohammedan SC

FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez expressed his satisfaction with a 2-0 win against Mohammedan SC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa in the ongoing Indian Super League on Tuesday. 

Iker Guarrotxena scored in the 40th minute to put the Gaurs in front whereas Padam Chhetri scored an own goal in the 86th minute. This was FC Goa’s fifth win on the bounce as they continued their purple patch. 

The home team had 56% possession and took five shots on target. 

“Today is maybe one of the days I am more satisfied and happier because when you are a coach and can give chances to players that they deserve it completely, to play these minutes and (prove) they are a very important part of the success of the team. They usually play less minutes and showed me today and they deserve to play more minutes. I won’t say names, but the players with less minutes, I think they were very, very good,” Marquez said in the post-match press conference.

Meanwhile, Armando Sadiku has scored nine goals in the ongoing season. However, the forward hasn’t found the back of the net in the last eight games.

When asked if Sadiku’s form was a concern, Marquez said: “Sadiku is a player who scored goals all his career. The number 9 in all other teams, it was not normal for them to score in every single game (at the start). Now it’s true that he is trying. I am satisfied with his performance. But sometimes, you know how football is and then one day, he will score two goals. But obviously, he is working for the team and he is satisfied also.”

FC Goa have secured their second place in the standings and have qualified for the semifinals, where they will take on Shied winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

“This year will be, I don’t know, if it’s more difficult but at least it’s strange. All my seasons with the playoffs, in the beginning it was only top four, now it is top six. It will be difficult after a break. Let’s see how the teams arrive. Even the first (playoffs) games, third against sixth and fourth against fifth, they will arrive to the semi-final with one more game that is important at this moment. But we need to think about our team and train in the correct way when we arrive,” Marquez explained.

FC Goa will take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Saturday.