ISL 2022-23: We need to be consistent and be at our best levels: FC Goa head coach Carlos Pena

FC Goa head coach Carlos Pena feels they need to be consistent and be at their best levels in the ongoing season of the Hero Indian Super League 2022-23. The Gaurs registered a 2-1 win over NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Saturday.

This was Goa’s fourth win in home conditions this season. Edu Bedia and Iker Guarrotxena scored in the first 20 minutes to give a 2-0 lead to their team.

This win helped Carlos Pena’s team in climbing to the fifth position in the points table with their sixth win of the season.

Carlos Pena was delighted with the win as he said in the post-match press conference, “Before the game all of us knew that it’s going to be a difficult game because when you play against a team that’s playing with pressure it is difficult because they didn’t do anything. They didn’t have anything to lose, they are not looking at the standings. They came here to play the game and prove themselves and it’s not easy. If anyone was expecting an easy game, he was wrong.”

He added, “We started the game very well, we created chances, we took advantage of the space they let us (attack) behind their back four, but after 2-0, we couldn’t keep the same intensity and I think we lost the focus. We started losing so many common balls and we didn’t play with the same intention. They performance before that period was good, we could’ve scored more goals in the second half because we created chances, but I’m not happy with the performance of the team. I’m happy for the victory and I’m happy that we got the three points, we can show our best level during the 90 minutes.”

Sharing his thoughts on the performance of Edu Bedia, Pena said, “Edu (Bedia) is a very important player for us. He helped a lot in the game and then scored as well, and rest of the things he has to improve on but happy for him now. It was not easy the moment when he got the red card against Mumbai City FC. Today, he had the chance to play in starting eleven and he helped us to get the three points.”

The Spaniard was not angry that his team could not keep a clean sheet against NorthEast United FC as they conceded a penalty in the 90th minute of the game.

He concluded, “No, I’m not angry. I’m not upset with the goal we conceded. I’m upset with the performance of my team during some minutes because we need to play better, we need to keep the same intensity and same way of playing for longer. I know it’s not possible, but we start scoring two goals and then we don’t do the same things that we were doing before, so that’s something we need to talk about and improve. Of course, I give a lot of importance to these three points because many other teams have also suffered to beat NorthEast United FC. We finished the first part of the league with 18 points, in the group of top teams, fighting for the playoffs, fighting for the first position. I think the balance is very good now, so happy with the 18 points, happy for the win at home again. Four out of six wins have come at home, it’s not a coincidence, but knowing we have to improve.”

FC Goa will next take on Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur on Thursday.