NorthEast United FC captain and centre back Miguel Garcia believes his team were the better side in tonight’s fixture against FC Goa, and were unfortunate to only manage a draw. The Highlanders may have conceded an early goal, in the 17th minute, but their relentless attacking play meant their defence was only occasionally tested for the remainder of the game. Speaking to www.indiansuperleague.com after the match, Garcia credited the youngsters in the side and the fantastic home support, for NorthEast United’s display.One point, home game, hard fought game, how does it feel?I think we played really well. Even against Kolkata, we played well. Today, we had a lot of opportunities but unfortunately, we could score only one goal. At least we didn’t lose; one point is one point. Game by game we are getting better, and hopefully we will win the match at Mumbai.Did Koke’s penalty give you the momentum to push on and try to win the game?Yes. Even before our goal, I had a lot of confidence that sooner or later we would score. What happened in the penalty could happen in normal play. In the second half, we toiled away but Goa also played very well. Like I said before, we will now try in Mumbai.The game against Mumbai will be your first away game. What sort of confidence do you take back from your three home games?We are getting better game by game. So we have to try to play the same game we played today and I think we are good."We are getting better game by game."Miguel GarciaIn terms of tactics, like Ricki Herbert said yesterday, you guys need to be more attacking. Is that translating into your games now?In our first match against Kerala we didn’t play well. And our coach Ricki and also Lee Taylor spoke a lot of us being able to play on the offensive. We need to open the whole field and chip the ball and today we did this and performed quite well.How are the youngsters in your team coping with playing alongside experienced players such as yourself?I think you saw, they are much, much better than when I arrived in Shillong. It is a pleasure to play side by side with Airborlang (Khongjee), Robin (Gurung) and Boithang (Haokip). They played really well. When we explain something to them, they understand.What about the crowd? Will you miss it?Yes, for sure, I already said thank you to all the people who came here to support us because we feel that they push us and we try to repay them in the pitch like we did today. I feel we could win and they know that we tried.A lot of teams go in with defenders as captains. Why?I don’t know but normally the coach decides. Usually, the guys in the defence lead the team and that is why the coach picks them, probably.
