ISL 2022-23: I take full responsibility for defeat: Odisha FC’s Josep Gombau after loss against FC Goa

Odisha FC head coach Josep Gombau has taken the blame on his shoulders after the team’s 0-3 loss against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Saturday. Odisha FC took three shots on target but they were not able to create many chances, especially in the second half.

All three goals were scored in the second half by the Gaurs. Gombau feels his team dominated the game in the first half but they couldn’t grab their chances while the match was equally contested in the second half.

Meanwhile, Nandhakumar Sekar was sent off in the 65th minute by referee Crystal John after the youngster received his second yellow card of the night. Despite being reduced to 10-man, Gombau wanted his team to attack and go for goals but the plan didn’t work out.

Josep Gombau said in the post-match press conference, “This match happened in two different halves. In the first half, we controlled the game, we had the ball and created the chances, but the defenders of FC Goa cleared the ball off the line twice, and we also hit the post.

He added, “In the second half, the game was fairly equal until the second yellow card for Nandhakumar Sekar, and we were down to 10 men. FC Goa had control of the game in that moment, and I take responsibility because normally when the team is down to 10 men, the coach wants them to drop and defend, but I felt we could have gone for the game even with 10 men, and I pushed the team to press higher and try to score, and that is when we conceded the goals.”

The gaffer continued, “That is something where I take the responsibility because the players played well, worked hard, and were brave. This is the way I want my team to approach the game, but we are disappointed to go home with this result, that’s football, and we need to be focused for the next game and try to win it on Thursday.”

Talking about the positives from the game despite the loss, Gombau said, “We controlled the first half totally, we had the chances, and I am sure if we had scored on those chances, the result would have been different. The second half, the game was fairly equal and both teams had momentum, but with 10 men it is something for me to think about, to be brave and be more concentrated.”

Odisha FC is currently in fourth place in the standings with six wins and three losses. The Juggernauts will next face ATK Mohun Bagan at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on 15th December.