ISL 2021-22: The team managed to play well in the second half – Manuel Marquez

Hyderabad FC head coach Manuel Marquez stated that the team managed to play well in the second half after they thrashed NorthEast United FC by 5-0 at the PJN Stadium, Goa on Monday in the 77th match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League. Hyderabad came up with a fine collective effort and dominated throughout the contest.

Bartholomew Ogbeche scored a brace for Hyderabad FC while ​​Akash Mishra (45th), Nikhil Poojary (84th), and Edu Garcia (88th) also scored for the club to come up with a thumping performance.

Both the teams had equal possession while Hyderabad FC took a total of eight shots on target, out of which they were able to convert five.

Despite the dominating win, Manuel Marquez believes his team didn’t play well in the first half while they were able to pull up their socks in the second half.

Marquez said in the post-match press conference, “Today, we saw one of the worst first-half performances in the competition. But we were very clinical in set pieces, we scored from two corners, one in the first action of the game. And the other is close to half-time. In the second half, the team managed to play a good game. And obviously, when the other team has to attack we have good players for that they can take advantage of the spaces”.

Speaking on the overall performance of the team, Marquez feels the team played well in the second half. Hyderabad FC scored three goals in the second half after taking a 2-0 lead in the first half.

Marquez said, “Every game is different. For example, today in the first half, in my opinion, NorthEast United FC played better in open play than us, but we were better in set pieces. In the second half, we managed the game very well. We are a team that is difficult to beat even when we don’t play well. But let’s see, now we have six games more. And let’s see what happens but at the moment we are on top and we are very happy”.

On the other hand, Marquez also showered praise on Bartholomew Ogbeche who became the leading goal-scorer in the ISL history after scoring his 49th goal of the tournament. Ogbeche went past Ferran Corominas and Sunil Chhetri’s tally of 48 goals.

He added, “I didn’t know that he is scored one goal. Of course, four different teams in four different sessions, he scored goals every season. He’s a great player for our team. We are very happy that Ogbeche plays in our team. And he’s a top scorer now, as you say no, there are three players with the same number of goals. But we have to continue this form. Of course, this is only statistics but it’s very important. Now at this moment, Ferran Corominas is not here, but Sunil Chhetri and Ogbeche can score more goals, and let’s see how they finish”.

Hyderabad FC will next face ATK Mohun Bagan on Tuesday at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim.