Hopefully, we’ll create chances and score in the next matches: Thangboi Singto
Singto shared his thoughts on his players' performance following their defeat to Bengaluru FC in their opening ISL game.
Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto expressed optimism about converting their chances in the upcoming matches, despite suffering a 0-3 defeat in their opening match in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Bengaluru FC secured back-to-back wins in their first two fixtures at home. Defender Rahul Bheke scored his first ISL goal since rejoining Bengaluru FC this year, giving his team an early advantage. In the second half, Sunil Chhetri added a brace to seal the victory.
With his two goals, Chhetri matched Bartholomew Ogbeche’s tally of 63 goals, becoming the joint-highest goalscorer in league history.
Singto noted that his players need to be braver in seizing half-chances. He acknowledged the challenges faced during pre-season but remains hopeful about his team’s overall performance.
“I think we know the challenges that we have in the pre-season before our first match. So I think in the first half, we did okay...” he said in the post-match press conference.
“There were two headers, I think, one from Alex (Saji) and the other from Leander (D'Cunha). So that sort of half chance we could not take. Of course, Gurpreet (Singh Sandhu) is the number one keeper. But if they could (have) taken their chances, it (the result) would have been different,” he continued.
Spirited display from the youngsters to kick-off off our campaign!
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) September 19, 2024
Late mistakes in second half prove costly...#BFCHFC #TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/xAcDHYC5MF
The Yellow and Black were trailing 0-1 at halftime, and despite their efforts in the second half, Singto’s men conceded two more goals in the closing ten minutes, leading to a 0-3 defeat against Bengaluru FC.
When asked about their second-half performance, Singto remarked,
“In the second half, (we aimed to improve) in terms of not only physicality but also the understanding of how we want to play because we have to make changes, thinking of fresh legs will help. But it didn’t really help. We have not been really able to work on tactical aspects because we did not have much time. But overall, in terms of efforts, in terms of the desire to do well, no complaints about this.”
The 50-year-old Indian head coach praised his opponents, acknowledging the Blues’ squad depth and recognizing them as one of the best teams in the ISL.
“Bengaluru FC are one of the best teams in the league, not only with the foreigners; (but because of) many of their Indian players are national team players,” Singto stated.
“But the positive that we can take is that I told the boys that the last two goals were sort of giveaways. So, we (can) neglect mistakes in the next matches, and hopefully, we’ll create chances and score,” he added.
Hyderabad FC brought on Cy Goddard in place of Ayush Adhikari at the start of the second half.
Commenting on the substitution, Singto shared, “Yes, it was more of a tactical approach. Lenny (Rodriguez) is the most experienced player. The thought of the technical team was there. They have most of the same calibre in terms of their abilities. They read the game well. So we need somebody who is more physical and moves up and down.”
“So, it was a tactical thing; sometimes it works, sometimes it does not,” he signed off.
