ISL 2022-23: Hats off to my players – Manolo Marquez after Hyderabad FC’s semi-final defeat

Hyderabad FC head coach Manolo Marquez was proud of his team’s efforts after they were knocked out following their loss against ATK Mohun Bagan in the second-leg semifinal at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Monday.

The Mariners won against the Nizams by 4-3 on penalties. However, the Spaniard reflected on his team’s performance throughout the season. Hyderabad, who won the ISL trophy in the previous season, finished at the second spot in the standings after 13 wins in 20 matches.

Hyderabad FC came up with collective efforts in the ninth season of the league and the players once again glittered under the tutelage of Manolo Marquez.

But the team couldn’t deliver under pressure on penalties against ATK Mohun Bagan.

“In the first leg, both teams were ready to decide the game in the second leg. Tonight, we started the game very well in the initial minutes, but they finished the game better in the 90 minutes. In the extra time, I think both teams were extremely tired and I don’t remember there being clear chances on both ends. For me, penalties are not a lottery although people might call it one,” he stated in the official pre-match press conference.

The Spaniard congratulated ATK Mohun Bagan for making it to the final but feels they were a tad unlucky on the penalties.

“Two bad penalties or one with bad luck because it hit the post and sometimes that goes in for the goal. Ultimately we lost, but congratulations to ATK Mohun Bagan for qualifying in the final. Also, huge congratulations for our team because at this moment it seems that it is very normal that Hyderabad FC are always on top. We are a team with only four years of existence and we are fighting with all the big teams,” he said.

“We finished second in the regular season and earned more points than ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, and Kerala Blasters FC. Big congratulations and hats off to my players because it’s three consecutive seasons of fighting in the top half of the table,” he added.

ATK Mohun Bagan will face off against Bengaluru FC in the summit clash.