Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis admitted they lost their concentration after scoring the opening goal against FC Goa in the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Wednesday.
Asmir Suljić scored the opening goal for the Shers in the 13th minute but Dilmperis reckons they played complicately after taking the lead.
Soon after, Armando Sadiku continued his rich form to find the equalizer for the Gaurs. After the first half, Iker Guarrotxena scored the winning goal for the home team.
The visitors dominated the possession with 62.2% but could only take two shots on target whereas the home team took eight shots on target despite less possession.
“We started the game great; I think in the first 25 minutes there was only one team in the field. A lot of possession, simple things. The way we train and then suddenly after the goal looks like we lost concentration,” Dilmperis said in the post-match press conference.
“We start playing more complicated without discipline. We thought that we would change everything during the half, and then individual mistakes cost us the second goal,” he added.
The gaffer reckons a draw would have been a fair result for them against the Gaurs.
“Suppose that during the game, FC Goa, since they have only three days, the tie or if we were winning it would be good for us, but this is football,” the Punjab FC head coach stated.
“Suddenly FC Goa were able to stand back without a lot of running, without pressure, and we were the team that had to run. We risked it,” he further added.
Meanwhile, Sandesh Jhingan and Odei Onaindia were brilliant for FC Goa in the defensive line.
“It was not orthologic. The way we try to play with long balls, (with) two strikers, without (a) winger. Some ideas because we saw that FC Goa’s two lines of defense were working properly and were trying to surprise them,” he stated.
“Nothing major, but I think that only the last chance with (Mushaga) Bakenga, if he was scoring, that would be great. I think that the result of this game, the right one, is a tie, but this is football,” he signed off.
Punjab FC will next take on NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi on 23rd November.
