ISL 2024-25: Panagiotis Dilmperis shares disappointment after loss against FC Goa

Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis expressed his disappointment after his team’s 0-1 loss against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi in the ongoing Indian Super League on Thursday. 

Carl McHugh scored the only goal of the evening at the stroke of halftime to give all three points to the Gaurs. Dilmperis admitted they were not up to the mark in the first half but deserved to find the equalizer in the second half, which they could not do.

The Shers had 38.8% possession and took only two shots on target, which didn’t please their head coach.

“There were shots left and right. I think we’re watching the same movie again and again. It’s hard. I’m sad about it. But I don’t know why, players, they try hard. They went up when it was necessary. In the first half, of course, we were not good at attacking. I mean, the ball didn’t stay a lot. Reminds me a little bit of the game against East Bengal FC,” Dilmperis said during the post-match press conference.

“But in the second half, we deserved to have one goal. We deserved one goal. We have to go on. There are a lot of benefits, I think, for the team, for the future of the team,” he added.

The gaffer said that the players are working hard in the training sessions despite the loss.

He stated, “Congratulations (to the players). They’re trying hard. You see that they’re running like crazy. They try to have discipline. They’re creating things. So how can I complain to all these guys that are trying so hard? And tactically, they’re good. You hold, go away from your box. And you are bringing the ball easily inside FC Goa’s box.”

Dilmperis is optimistic regarding his future with the club despite not having the ideal results this season. Punjab FC has managed seven wins in 22 games with three draws and 12 losses in the ongoing edition.

“About my future. It’s not my decision. The team will make the decision. But I’m always optimistic. There are two reasons. First of all, because I believe in my job. The way the team addresses the issues, most of the time it’s good, and because of good scouting and the good choices that we took. So if you are not optimistic, you cannot go on. If I’m not optimistic, I have to leave. So I am optimistic for these two reasons,” he shared.

Punjab FC will next take on Hyderabad FC at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad on Thursday.