Jose Molina shares delight after leading Mohun Bagan Super Giant to ISL glory

Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina was proud of his players after leading the club to the double of League Shield and Indian Super League glory. The Mariners defeated Bengaluru FC by 2-1 in the summit clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, Alberto Noguera scored an own goal in the 49th minute to put the Blues in front. However, Jason Cummings equalized for the home team in the 72nd minute from a spot kick whereas Jamie Maclaren scored the match-winning goal in the 96th minute.

The hosts were chasing the game but the Spaniard reckons the two substitutions he made helped them turn a corner.

“I think Liston and Thapa were doing a good job. In my opinion. Today’s match was not easy because we got a really good team. But at that moment I felt that it was getting a little bit tight for both,” he said during the post-match presser.

“And then I have players on the bench, really great players. They had their moment. And today was the moment for Ashique and Sahal, they did great. Ashique was amazing in attacking. In the end, maybe he was forced more to defend, controlling the match. And Sahal helped us to create something more,” he continued.

Molina hailed his players for coming up with the right performance when it mattered the most.

He said, “After that, some more substitutions came, we were looking for more control. Even if we had to take any risk, we had more control and more options to score. And to be honest, after we scored the second one, we were more calm. More compact. No risk. Trying to finish the match. If we could score one more. We tried and we had some options. But overall, don’t take risks. Control in defence. And the team did great in those moments.”

The gaffer is hopeful that his best as a coach is yet to come but tipped winning the ISL Cup as the best moment in his managerial career.

He added, “To be honest, I always think that every day I’m a better coach, because every day I’m learning, I’m trying things, I’m making mistakes. I’m learning, I keep working and every day I’m better as a coach.”

“Then thinking that today is my best moment as a coach. It’s the best Jose Molina as a coach. But I hope tomorrow I can be better. Then I always expect that my best as a coach is still to come. I hope in the future I can have better moments, still better moments. But right now, I’m absolutely happy. He stated as he concluded.