look news india
Panaji, September 18 (HS). Manolo Marquez has not had a good start as the head coach of the Indian national team and FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL).
Earlier in the month, Marquez's side were held to a goalless draw with lower-ranked Maldives before losing 0-3 to Syria in the Intercontinental Cup. His ISL club Goa then lost 1-2 to Jamshedpur FC in the opening game of the season. Goa took the lead in the first half but could not convert their dominance into more goals, with Jamshedpur coming back in extra time to win the game.
“Today was probably the day I was the angrier since I came to India almost five years ago,” Marquez said after the match on Tuesday. Goa had 62% possession but managed just five shots on target.
He said, “We cannot allow a performance like today, especially from foreigners. Foreign players were roaming around the field throughout the game. You know that Indian players need them, and if foreign players are roaming around the field and playing their game, then we will all be in trouble.”
He praised Bryson Fernandes but added: “It's hard to say anything good about anybody because we performed very, very poorly as a team.”
Marquez, who led FC Goa to their first playoffs since 2021, hopes this defeat will be a warning to the Gaurs.
“You might not believe me, but when the score was 1-1 and we were watching the match from the sideline, I sat on the bench and said that even if we lost the match, it would be positive for us. Even when Hyderabad FC won the ISL Cup in 2021-22, I was there, we lost the first game against Chennaiyin FC, and the team responded very well. Now let's see the character of the team,” Marquez said. Goa next play newly-promoted Mohammedan SC on Saturday.
