FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez showered praise on Mohun Bagan Super Giant and their manager Jose Molina after they suffered a 0-2 loss against the League Shield champions at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata in the ongoing Indian Super League on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, Boris Singh scored an own goal to put the home team in front after miscommunication with the goalkeeper in the 62nd minute. Greg Stewart was able to seal the game for the Mariners as he scored in the stoppage time.
“The goal was a result of miscommunication between the goalkeeper and Boris Singh. The 2-0 result was too harsh as I felt the game was even but in my opinion Mohun Bagan Super Giant deserved to win the game,” he said during the post-match press conference.
On being asked what separated the Mariners from his team, Marquez said, “There were certain games in the ISL when the opponent was playing better football, Mohun Bagan Super Giant scored their first chance and won 3-0.”
The Spaniard lauded the opposition for their consistent performances in the league phase and said they were the best team.
“They have won games 3-2, 1-0 in the dying minutes. This is not a coincidence. They are the best team with the best players and the best coach. You can’t discount the experience that Jose Molina has because he was a top player. He is the perfect person to be the coach of a team like Mohun Bagan Super Giant,” he added.
The gaffer reckons the International break will give an opportunity to players to recharge their batteries.
“There are approximately three weeks between the end of the league season and the playoffs. These three weeks will be very important for all the teams,” he said.
“I feel the teams that win the playoff round will arrive in the semi-finals in a better condition than Mohun Bagan Super Giant or FC Goa because these two teams will be out of competition for almost one month. But we will try to work in the best possible and be in the best condition for the semi-final,” he signed off by saying.
