ISL 2024-25: Manolo Marquez satisfied with the effort of the players after win against Punjab FC

FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez was satisfied with the effort of his players after a 1-0 win against Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi in the ongoing Indian Super League on Thursday. 

The Spaniard admitted that his team wasn’t at its absolute best but he was glad to take three points from the game. Carl McHugh scored the only goal of the evening at the stroke of halftime to play a key role in his team’s win.

The Gaurs dominated the possession with 61.2% and took three shots on target.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Marquez said: “The game was boring. It’s difficult because we already lost the possibility to win the Shield. But we spoke with the players before the game, that we are still not in the second position. Now, we are very close. But before the game, we needed five points. Now we still need to win one more game and it’s important. I think that more or less we controlled the game with very long possessions in the second half, but if you don’t arrive to the other box, 1-0 is a short score and in the one moment the other team can do something. But I am satisfied with the effort of the guys and I feel the win is fair.”

FC Goa has already qualified for the playoffs but this win would strengthen their chances of finishing among the top two teams along with Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

“We had the motivation because imagine if we lost the game today and Jamshedpur FC won the other game. Jamshedpur FC beat us in both games. We would have had to still play the last game in Kolkata against the (League) champions. We needed to win today. When we scored the goal, even what I think is an unlucky goal, I dont know who touched the ball exactly during the shot of Carl. But the team was like okay. Not scared. But we only controlled the game, which is not easy. Punjab FC played most of the second half with only one foreigner, Petros (Giakoumakis) and we passed off the minutes. For us it was okay and Punjab FC tried to attack. I feel that we defended okay. This game wont be in the story of the best games in Indian football. But the three points for us are very important at this moment,” he explained.

FC Goa will next take on Mohammedan SC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Tuesday.