FC Goa qualified for the semi-finals after holding Hyderabad FC to a 0-0 draw in Match 109 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the Fatorda Stadium in Sunday’s first game. Juan Ferrando’s side finished fourth on the league table but the Spanish head coach conceded that the game was a very tough one for his side.

“It was a very difficult game, mostly because Hyderabad FC is a very good team. They have very good players and they try to control the spaces. It was very difficult to control the emotions and the stress,” Ferrando said at the post-match press conference.

Ferrando was happy with a point from the game but expected a better performance from his attackers heading into the semi-finals. “In this scenario, I am happy with a point. But I am disappointed with the attack because we did not control the spaces and we lost a lot of easy passes. When you play, it is necessary for attack to keep calm,” said the FC Goa head coach.

The Gaurs set a new Hero ISL record after going unbeaten in 13 games this season. However, Ferrando did not pay much heed to that. “Records are not important for me. I am happy because FC Goa is in the top four. In a lot of games, we have controlled the space and we have attacked. I am happy with these points. But for now, we need to win the trophy,” he said.

Watch Juan Ferrando's Post-Match Press conference here:

Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC head coach Manuel Marquez was disappointed that his side were unable to make it to the top four but expressed his admiration for his players. “Very disappointed because we did not get the goal to make it through to the top four. Congratulations to the four teams that will play for the Hero ISL title.

“Congratulations to my players as well because we are very proud of them. Now, they are very sad but I think that we were very close. In the last minutes, we could have scored but eventually we could not get through and that is football,” the head coach said.

Analysing the game, Marquez said, “Both teams had too much respect for each other. In the first half, there were practically no chances for either side. In the second half, we took more risks and that is normal. Especially in the final 15 minutes, we put our offensive players on the pitch. If we had scored, I think that it would have been fair.”

Watch Manuel Marquez's Post-Match Press conference here: