Panaji: FC Goa spurned their opportunity of getting back into the top four as defensive lapses during Thursday night’s clash against Mumbai City FC cost them dearly.
After the match, Goa head coach Carlos Pena opened up on how the team’s mood at the start of the second half decided the fate of the clash.
“I think the team played a very decent first half but we started the second half in a bad mood. This caused us to make mistakes, and against a team like Mumbai City FC it can cause you trouble,” he said.
“We had a talk in the dressing room to start the second half in the same way as we did in the first half – to keep on trying, keep attacking. It was an equal game with chances for both teams.
“But in the second half, they punished us a lot in the first 10 minutes. After that, we couldn’t come back,” the 38-year-old explained.
At the same time, Pena also dismissed the notion that the Gaurs were let down by a lack of hunger.
“A lack of hunger? I disagree. I think we lost because in the second half we conceded two early goals, we committed two big mistakes and that was the reason. I don’t feel the team was lacking hunger. We came here with the hunger and passion to win.
“We knew before the game that we were able to win here, but we need to be on our best level and that 10 minutes cost us the game,” he opined.
Despite conceding an early lead, the Gaurs had shown signs of a comeback when Iker Guarrotxena found an equalizer in the 22nd minute. That was not to be as Mumbai ran away with the game in the second half thanks to their finishing.
The Gaurs will look to make amends for Thursday’s result when they take on fellow playoff contenders Odisha FC next weekend in front of their passionate fans at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda.
