ISL 2023-24: Draw against Mohun Bagan SG would’ve been a fair result: FC Goa’s Manolo Marquez

FC Goa’s head coach Manolo Marquez feels a draw against Mohun Bagan Super Giant would have been a fair result. The Gaurs suffered their first loss of the season as they were beaten 0-1 by Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023–24 season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half, the visitors took a decisive 1-0 lead after Dimitri Petratos scored in the 74th minute. Meanwhile, the home team had 53.2% possession and took four shots on target but could not find the back of the net.

“In football, it’s very difficult to win or draw every game. One day you have to lose, which was today,” he said in the post-match press conference.

“For me, they are good teams. You can see both teams after the defeats. How we will react is important. If we react as a competitive team, it means that we are a good team now; if we lose two or three consecutive games, it means that we don’t deserve to be on top or second in the table,” he added.

In fact, the hosts managed a total of 12 shots but failed to capitalize on the goal-scoring opportunities and thus could not stage a comeback into the game.

Speaking in context, the Spaniard commented, “We know that one day we will lose. My feeling is that in other games that we won, maybe we didn’t deserve it. And today was even because the goal was not a chance. I think that a draw would have been a fair (result).”

FC Goa have won eight matches out of the 13 they have played in the ongoing season and they are in second place in the standings. The Gaurs will next take on NorthEast United on Wednesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.