ISL 2021-22: We are a team without character – Manuel Marquez after 1-1 draw against Chennaiyin FC

Hyderabad FC’s head coach Manuel Marquez was not at all impressed with his team’s performance after they played a 1-1 draw against Chennaiyin FC in the 59th match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Thursday. Marquez admitted that they lacked character as they got a lot of chances but could not convert them. Thus, Hyderabad FC missed a chance to go at the top of the points table.

Mohammad Sajid Dhot scored the opening goal for Marina Machans but Hyderabad FC equalized when Siverio scored in the 45th minute of the game.

Hyderabad had 52% of the ball while they took a total of 10 shots on target but could only convert a solitary attempt, which left the Spaniard frustrated.

Manuel Marquez said in the post-match press conference, “This game showed the character of the team. In some moments we created clear chances. In some other moments, when the other team created the team the team didn’t react well because it is a team without character. In the end, Chennaiyin FC put many crosses and this is something that can’t be trained. Either you have the character or you don’t. It’s true that the Indian players, not the foreigners, are very young and it’s a difficult situation. It was very similar to the game in this stadium against Odisha FC last season. In some moments we played very well, in some moments, we played very badly. But I think this year, the team has less character”.

Marquez also revealed that Aniket Jadhav was facing trouble with his hamstring in the final few minutes.

He added, “Aniket Jadhav had problems in his hamstrings in the last few minutes. It was the case against Kerala Blasters too. So he has an issue to finish the games. In his position, we had the option to go with Seityasen Singh or Mohammad Yasir or Aaron or with Danu. If you play any of these players you will ask me about the other. This is normal in football”,

Hyderabad FC gaffer also heaped praise on Javier Siverio and feels he was the team’s best player on the day. Marquez added that the team didn’t miss the services of Bartholomew Ogbeche.

Marquez concluded, “Yes. Javier Siverio was I think the Hero of the Match. He was the best player on our team. Maybe the doubt now is if it would be better to play both together. But then we would need to change the system. But I felt Siverio played very well. I didn’t miss Bart (Ogbeche) in the game today”.

Hyderabad FC will next face Jamshedpur FC on Monday at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim.