ISL 2021-22: We lost the ball in the midfield quite often, which hampered our performance – FC Goa’s Derrick Pereira

FC Goa’s head coach Derrick Pereira admitted that his team lost the ball in the midfield quite often, which hampered their performance against ATK Mohun Bagan in the 92nd match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Tuesday.

The Mariners won by 2-0 against the Gaurs after Manvir Singh scored a brace for his team. Singh gave a lead to ATK Mohun Bagan in the third minute of play and then doubled his team’s lead right after half-time.

Pereira revealed that they had Covid-19 cases in their camp and thus they could not field a full-fledged team. In fact, FC Goa had 63% of possession but they could only take four shots on target.

FC Goa had won their last match in a comprehensive manner by 5-0 against Chennayin FC but could not continue the same form against ATK Mohun Bagan.

Derrick Pereira said in the post-match press conference, “They are two different teams. We went with a plan and tried to settle down as a team. It’s not an excuse, but it’s the truth that we had cases in our camp, where some players had to be left out. We could not train yesterday because of certain reasons. So I think we missed out in the midfield today, the early goal put us down. And, of course in the second half also a missed pass which resulted in the goal. That put a lot of pressure on the team. We lost the ball in the midfield quite often and that has hampered our performance”.

Meanwhile, FC Goa are all but knocked out of the semifinal race in the ongoing Hero ISL as they have 18 points from 17 games. Pereira added that they want to finish at a better position in the standings.

He said, “It’s a process in place, it’s always there. We will definitely from now on as we still have slight hopes. But I mean, we still want to do better. We want to do improve our standings on the table. And for sure, we will work to see for the future”.

The head coach revealed that they will look to give youngsters their deserved chances in the remaining three matches as the rest of the games are dead rubbers for the team.

Pereira concluded, “As I said, it’s a process and all deserving youngsters will definitely get the opportunity. We need to give them the opportunity but just can’t push them into the deep side of the pool. We have to get them gradually into the team. And we have some talented boys in our team and when the appropriate time we will be giving them the chance”.

FC Goa will next face Hyderabad FC at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Saturday.