Odisha FC assistant coach Anthony Fernandes shared his displeasure at his team suffering a 2-1 loss against FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Thursday.

Following this defeat, the Kalinga Warriors remain winless in each of their 12 outings against the Gaurs, having lost on eight occasions and shared points four times.

FC Goa’s young talent, Brison Fernandes, who was presented the Emerging Player of the Month award for January earlier on, broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with his calm and composed finish inside the Odisha FC box. The hosts doubled their lead early in the second half as Fernandes’ powerful attempt found the back of the net after being heavily deflected by Lalthathanga Khawlhring (Puitea).

Despite the visitors pulling one goal back courtesy of Rahul KP, it was not enough as Odisha FC succumbed to their sixth defeat of the ongoing 2024-25 season.

Anthony Fernandes believed that a draw could have been a fair result for the Kalinga Warriors, considering how they generated several clear-cut chances in the second half with Hugo Boumous, Rahul KP, Isak Ralte, and others.

“It's not a great result for us. We came back, and the way we played in the second half, I think we deserved at least a point from this game. That's what I feel,” he said in the post-match press conference.

“But again, at the end of it, we haven't won it. So, we go back again, start all over again, and prepare ourselves as best as we can for the next match,” he further added.

Despite Odisha FC going 0-1 down early in the game, they got an excellent opportunity to equalize the scoreline from the spot-kick in the first half itself. However, Diego Mauricio, who earned the penalty for his side after being fouled inside the opponent's box, failed to seize the chance as FC Goa keeper Hrithik Tiwari stood strong under the bars, denying the Brazilian’s effort with a fully stretched dive to his left.

Fernandes acknowledged that the scenario could have been completely different for his side if they had managed to convert the chance in the opening half. Speaking in this context, he said,

“In a sense, Diego (Mauricio) is a player who scored two penalties for us in the match. But again, (with that) penalty, it could have been a different game, but I don't blame him or anything.”

“It's just that he didn't score. But yeah, if he had scored, it would have been a different story,” he added.

Odisha FC will next face Punjab FC on February 10 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Fernandes urged his players to work hard and rectify their mistakes in the training sessions to get back on winning ways.

“Strategies are always there because we have already played against these teams once. So, we know what their strengths are and what their weak points are,” he said.

“So, we'll work accordingly on that and prepare ourselves to the fullest. So, next time when we are on the field, we know we will be at our best,” Fernandes signed off.