ISL 2023-24: We didn’t begin the second half well – Punjab FC’s Staikos Vergetis after loss against Odisha FC

Punjab FC’s head coach Staikos Vergetis feels they didn’t begin the second half well after their 3-1 loss against Odisha FC in the 20th match week of the ongoing Indian Super League at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar on Tuesday.

The Kalinga Warriors took the lead in the 34th minute when Diego Mauricio scored. But, the Shers equalized after four minutes as Madih Talal scored.

The home team once again took the lead as Vanlalruatfela scored in the 61st minute. Mauricio then scored his second goal of the evening in the 68th minute to give a thumping win to his team.

Punjab FC conceded two goals in the second half and Vergetis admitted they didn’t play at their best.

“In the first half, the team played according to the game plan. We had a very good defensive organization in the middle of the park, (we were) intercepting balls, generating attacks, and creating dangerous situations for the opponent. But when the opponent broke our middle zone – pressed and reached our area we faced problems (dealing with it),” he said in the post-match press conference.

“Second half, we did not start it well, but we had a big chance with Bryce Miranda to make it 2-1. We lost the chance as the opponent’s defender made a very good block. After that, we had one very bad action by our player. I don’t know why he did this, and he kicked while the ball was kicked out of our defence. Our player kicked the opponent, and the referee was correct to give the penalty, and suddenly, from 2-1, our team went down to 3-1 scoreline,” he explained.

“These are the mistakes that we must not make. Especially in the last two games, if we want to get good results and go for our big target, which is the 6th position,” Vergetis added further.

The Greek head coach substituted Wilmar Jordan Gil with Juan Mera right at the start of the second half.

Speaking on this decision, he shared, “It was a tactical change. We had big problems with the opponent’s two central defenders (Mourtada Fall and Carlos Delgado). (Ahmed) Jahouh was going in between the two of them, and they were in a very good position with the ball. We wanted to put Juan Mera and Madih Talal in between the two central defenders and monitor Jahouh to limit his actions.”

“But the game did not go well. I should’ve taken out Nikhil Prabhu also, as he was asking for a substitution. I was forced to change and after that, the formation and all the plants had to be modified,” he shared while quizzed about the other substitutions.”

Punjab FC will next take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi on Saturday