“If you don’t score, you get punished,” says Odisha FC boss Josep Gombau after their 1-0 defeat against Kerala Blasters

Odisha FC fell short against Kerala Blasters in a closely contested match where the Kalinga Warriors lost 1-0 courtesy of a strike from Sandeep Singh. Odisha FC coach Josep Gombau was not very happy with the result as he expressed his frustration of not taking the chances that came their way and in the end they were punished by the hosts.

It was a very cagey game played at a very high intensity but the only thing the game lacked was goals, which the Blasters scored and added three more points. However Odisha FC played really well and in the end it was a situation where they looked back at their missed opportunities. Even the goal that they conceded came off an error from goalkeeper Amrinder Singh who misjudged his punch and it went straight to Sandeep Singh who headed it back to the open net giving the Blasters an 86th minute lead.

“I think we are doing well, the first half for me was good. We controlled the game playing our way in a big stadium against a very good side like Kerala Blasters FC. We should’ve scored the goal (early on through Raynier Fernandes), we had the chance and we didn’t score. The second half became more equal and in the last 30 minutes Kerala Blasters FC had more chances and was in better shape than us,” Gombau stated in frustration.

Gombau highlighted how this is football and if the team in control does not take advantage and finish their chances then there is always a possibility of the opposition to punish them and go ahead in the game. Despite the result he wanted his men to take note of the situation and work even harder on the aspects that need improvement.

“This is what happens in a football game, if you don’t score, you get punished. For sure we need to score if we want to win the games and at the end, the details decide whether you’ll bring the game to your side or not. We didn’t score the goal and they scored the goal from our own mistake. It’s football, we need to keep on working and I’m sure we will score goals,” the Spanish tactician added.

Gombau revealed that his men were tired in the second half from all the aggressive pressing that they did in the first half. He feels that he needs to be more wary about these situations. He felt that the players had a good game and there’s nothing much that he could tell them but he takes it upon himself analyzing and improving several aspects.

“I think it’s normal in football, sometimes you can win three matches in a row and sometimes you don’t win for three games. It’s true that we played against strong oppositions like FC Goa, ATK Mohun Bagan and now, Kerala Blasters FC. In the last game we deserved more, one goal was disallowed and these kinds of things change the perspective of people. I need to see things differently, I need to see what we did wrong when the result is very good, and what we can improve and now if the result is not good, I need to see what we are doing well. As a coach, I need to see the big perspective,” Gombau concluded.

The Kalinga Warriors continue to remain in sixth spot despite the defeat whereas Kerala Blasters jump to third spot as they extend their unbeaten run to seven matches.