FC Goa registered a 3-1 win over Odisha FC in Match 97 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the Fatorda Stadium on Wednesday. Goals from Alberto Noguera, Jorge Ortiz and Ivan Gonzalez sealed the win for the Gaurs, while Diego Mauricio scored a consolation goal for the Bhubaneswar-based club.

At the post-match press conference, FC Goa head coach Juan Ferrando was content with the win, especially because his team had drawn their last six matches. “I am satisfied because we got the three points. It’s good for the dressing room because after six draws, the win was important,” he said.

Ferrando was also happy with the defending of his team. “I am happy with our improvement while defending set-pieces. The two big opportunities for Odisha FC came during the transition... We have to continue working and improving,” he said.

With now two games to go for the Gaurs and the battle for the remaining two semi-final berths really heating up, Ferrando urged his players to remain positive ahead of their final games of the league stages. “For me, the most important thing during a game is to control the emotions. It is necessary to keep calm and control the game, control the spaces. We need to have a clear mentality and we have to be positive for the remaining games,” he said.

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

Meanwhile, Odisha FC interim head coach Gerald Peyton admitted that FC Goa were technically better on the night. “I thought we matched them tactically, but technically, they were better than us. They took their goals well. From my point of view, my boy gave everything they had,” he said.

“They are a very good side. Technically, they are one of the best sides in the Hero ISL. It is very difficult when you are playing against a very technical team like FC Goa, who keep the ball. We needed to keep waiting and making sure that they don’t go through you and stay in the game as long as possible before hitting them on the counter-attack.”

Peyton also heaped praise on S Lalhrezuala who made his Hero ISL debut after coming through Odisha FC’s youth ranks. “We are still developing for the next season, and that is a positive that we can take. Lalhrezuala played his first professional match at any level. I was very pleased to see how he played. He is a good player for Odisha FC in the future,” he said.

Watch Gerald Peyton's Post-Match Press conference here: