ISL 2022-23: Going to be an equal and tough game – FC Goa’s Pena on facing ATK Mohun Bagan

FC Goa head coach Carlos Pena reckons its going to be equal and a tough game against ATK Mohun Bagan on Wednesday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata. The Gaurs had registered a convincing win of 3-0 when they had met ATK Mohun Bagan earlier in the season in November.

FC Goa and ATK Mohun Bagan have shared a great rivalry in the Hero ISL and both teams will be looking to bag three crucial points. These two teams have faced each other in 14 matches in which ATK Mohun Bagan have won five matches whereas FC Goa have won three games while six games have ended in draws.

Meanwhile, FC Goa are currently in fifth place in the standings with six wins, one draw and four losses in the 11 games they have played in the ongoing season. On the other hand, ATK Mohun Bagan is currently in fourth place with six wins, two draws and three losses in 11 matches. However, they lost their previous match against NorhEast United FC.

“They have very good players. Before the last defeat (to NorthEast United FC), they had won their previous four games besides drawing to Odisha FC. They have a good squad and quality players in attack,” Pena said at the pre-match press conference.

“We have to be very focused in terms of our defensive work and try to punish them when we attack. It’s going to be an equal game and a tough game for us. It will be a clash between two teams who are fighting for the playoffs and are very close in the Hero ISL standings. We will go to Kolkata with no fear, trying to get the three points,” he mentioned.

The Spaniard admitted it will be a different game from the last time when they had faced the Mariners in their home conditions.

“It’s going to be a different game from what we play in Goa. We dominated the game against them in all aspects and that was one of our best performances during the season. We faced them with a lot of energy, with a good positive pressure and we competed really well. If we want to have options to win games after Wednesday, we need to have the same attitude (like we did when we played ATKMB previously),” Pena explained.

Pena gave opportunities to young players like Makan Chothe and Brison Fernandes in the previous match against Jamshedpur FC which ended in a 2-2 draw.

“We have very good young players here. They are the future of the club and we are here to help them grow and to make sure the club grows in the same way,” he said.