Manolo Marquez ‘disappointed’ despite win against East Bengal FC

FC Goa’s head coach Manolo Marquez was disappointed despite a 1-0 win against East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa in the ongoing Indian Super League 2024-25 on Sunday. The Spaniard feels they played their worst game of the season against the Red and Gold Brigade.

Brandon Fernandes scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute to give all three points to his team. The Gaurs had 50.5% possession and took three shots on target.

“It was a curious game. Maybe it was the worst game we played in the ISL this season. But we had the more clear chances in the game, on post, one crossbar and Sadiku’s action. I’m not satisfied. I’m not very angry but disappointed. If you play like this in most of the games, you have more possibilities to lose than to win. It’s important you know that during one competition there will be good games, normal games, bad games and it’s important to play when you don’t play very well,” Marquez said in the post-match press conference.

“In the first half, it was more or less because they were waiting, waiting, waiting. In the second half, with more offensive players, every time, they pressed more and we didn;t have enough football to surpass this press and we suffered to contain them. Even in the last five minutes with five defenders, with three centre-backs, we could keep the score and it was like this,” he added.

Meanwhile, FC Goa’s goalkeeper Hritik Tiwari was brilliant for the home team, making five saves to help his team clinch a win.

“Tiwari is saving incredible goals every game. And when the goalkeeper is your best player every games, means that you are not doing the correct things. Because one day it will be a goal or he will make a mistake. This is all the goalkeepers in the world. He is great at the moment. He is very calm in the goal. Not outside the pitch but in the pitch, he is really calm. He is really important. Everyone is very confident in him,” he said.

FC Goa will next take on Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Saturday.