Odisha FC interim head coach Kino Garcia admitted that Mumbai City FC was really clinical but they were not after they lost against the reigning champions by 4-1 in the 90th match of the ongoing Indian Super League 2022 at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Sunday.
Igor Angulo and Bipin Singh each scored a brace for the Islanders as Odisha FC could not come up with a collective effort. Odisha took three shots on target and had a 44% of possession.
Odisha FC has won six matches out of the 16 they have played and they have 21 points under their bag. Thus, they are currently in the seventh position in the standings.
Odisha FC interim head Kino Garcia said in the post-match press conference, “I think Mumbai City FC played well. They were clinical in taking their chances. During the match, we had chances to score before Jonathas scored. I think the first half was neck and neck. The goals in the last minutes of the first half hit us hard. Then in the second half, they scored pretty soon so it changed the game. They were really clinical and we were not. I think Mumbai City FC deserve to win and we need to improve for the next match”.
Odisha still has four matches left in the league stage and thus they have a chance to qualify for the semifinal stage.
Garcia added, “We go for the next match against Chennaiyin FC and we still have a chance. There are still 12 points to play. Now we have to keep our heads up. Problem is that we have just 48 hours before the next match so it’s difficult for recovery but it’s better as our minds can’t be thinking about this defeat”.
Garcia admitted that the opposition deserved to win but not by such a huge margin.
He added, “I think the scoreline is unfair. Mumbai City FC deserved to win but maybe not by this margin. We had chances to score our goals. Jonathas had a chance to score but they were very clinical”.
Garcia added that it is a close match in some moments and the scoreline doesn’t tell us the whole picture.
He concluded, “I don’t think so. I won’t say that we deserve to win but I do think that the match was neck and neck in some moments. I think the match was really tough. In the second half, they scored their first chance and then they scored again. Being 3-0 down, it’s difficult to play and the mood goes down and they use this opportunity. In the first half, we were better and we were creating chances but they scored, so it was difficult for us. So, in the second half, it was difficult for us as we were chasing the match. I think we deserve better than the scoreline”.
Odisha FC will next lock horns against Chennaiyin FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Wednesday.
