ISL 2023-24: Liked our defensive display, says Punjab FC’s Staikos Vergetis

Punjab FC’s head coach Staikos Vergetis was happy with the defensive game of his team after a goalless draw against East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday. This was Punjab FC’s fifth draw of the season and their third on the bounce in the tournament.

The Shers are still searching for their first win in their inaugural season. The visitors had 42% of possession and tourists were able to keep the home side at bay to take a single point out of the game.

“Defensively, we were very well prepared. The players had faith in the plan and were disciplined. We didn’t allow the opponent to create clear-cut chances,” Staikos Vergetis said in the post-match press conference.

“We had some problems on the transitions sometimes when East Bengal FC found free space and reached our area very fast. But we faced this situation (well),” he added.

“Offensively, I was expecting more from our team. We didn’t create many chances even though we had moments on transitions but we didn’t take advantage of that,” he continued.

The gaffer feels it was a fair result in the end and he was delighted with the defensive play, which his team showed against Red and Gold Brigade.

“The opponents pressed us with long balls but our players defended well to keep the clean sheet. I was worried a little in those moments. But for most parts, we controlled the game,” he said.

“Today, we didn’t have too many chances and we weren’t much better than the opponent for me to be unhappy with the draw. But I appreciate the defensive functioning of our team. We made a step up in this phase,” he added.

Punjab FC took two shots on target and the Greek coach said he wants his team to take more attempts on goal by creating chances.

“We would like to create more chances but when you play with so many youngsters against big players, famous players of the national team, we have to be careful. We now are starting to build the careers of these youngsters,” he concluded.

Punjab FC will next take on Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi on Thursday.