Hyderabad FC’s head coach Manolo Marquez admitted Jamshedpur FC won the game on merit despite being reduced to 10 players. Jamshedpur FC stunned the defending champions by 3-2 at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, in Hyderabad, on Saturday.
Eli Sabia received a straight red card from the referee in the 56th minute of the game after he made a reckless tackle from behind on Javier Siverio but the hosts could not capitalize on the advantage. Meanwhile, Bartholomew Ogbeche scored the opening goal of the match for the Nizams to put them in front in the 12th minute.
However, Jamshedpur FC was quick to bounce back as Ritwik Das, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, and Daniel Chukwu all scored in an interval of seven minutes to give a 3-1 lead to their team. Ogbeche scored a consolation goal in the second half but it was not enough for the home team to stage a comeback.
“We started the game very well. We scored the first goal but conceded three goals. I think that the team was okay even though we missed a penalty. We scored the second goal and I think we deserve the third goal but its fine. I congratulate Jamshedpur FC because they played maybe 30-35 minutes with one player less. They defended a lot. It is true that we created a lot of chances but on some days you’re not right in your final decision, that’s all,” Marquez added.
In fact, the Spaniard made as many as seven changes to the final XI and gave opportunities to young Indian talent in the squad.
“It is difficult when you play your first game. I think most of them were very nervous but we were happy with them in the training session. They deserve this chance to play. Some of them showed their value. Other players still need time, Some of them have a very good mentality and (Abdul) Rabeeh for example has a very good mentality,” Marquez stated.
The gaffer feels Jamshedpur FC have found its groove and the right combination in the last few matches and thus they have been unbeaten in the last three games.
“In the last few games, they (Jamshedpur FC) have found their more or less correct team. Obviously, today they didn’t play Rafael Crivellaro but I think Crivellaro gave Jamshedpur FC a lot of quality and then they can put Jay Emmanuel-Thomas behind him. They play better with them, their wingers and Chima up-front. We don’t know what would happen if we would play with our main team, but today it was not easy for the JFC, even though they played 35 minutes with one player less. Jamshedpur FC won the game on merit even with ten players,” Marquez explained.
Hyderabad FC will next face Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on Sunday.
