Mohun Bagan Super Giant's Head Coach Jose Molina hosted the league Shield runners-up Manolo Marquez's FC Goa in a thrilling 2-0 victory in the Indian Super League (ISL), at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium on Saturday.

The match started as expected with both sides going at each other, and FC Goa getting the better of the Mariners during the goalless first 45 minutes. The second half saw pretty much the same with the Gaurs applying slightly more pressure, yet Mohun Bagan SG managed to force FC Goa into conceding an own goal, opening up a lead for themselves in the 63rd minute. And kept the lead going well into injury time, when Greg Stewart extended the lead during the 94th minute, sealing all three points along with it.

Molina reflected on the team's success, attributing it to collective effort and passion, emphasizing the importance of hard work over luck.

"I'm absolutely a happy man. I think we did a great job. From the owner to the players, everybody, coaching staff, all of us, supporting staff, helped to win this Shield. When you have work and you have passion, maybe you can be lucky. You can have luck, But the luck is not for free," he said during the post-match press conference.

Looking ahead, he acknowledged the need for the players to rest and recharge before the upcoming semi-finals.

"Now the next match will be on 2nd or 3rd in April. So it's a long time until that match. Of course, I think, we all deserve, some days to go home, to meet loved ones, family, and to rest. To recharge the batteries. We will come stronger. We will come back as an A-team to play in a games and I have no doubt the players are going to enjoy a lot, this playoff," he said.

Molina also highlighted the challenge of sustaining success, noting that while winning is difficult, retaining that success is even harder, especially in a competitive league.

"To win is difficult, but to keep winning is still more difficult. And my players proved that they are champion players, they won last year. Not all of them, But a lot of them won last year. And they won again this year, even though the league was more difficult than last year, for sure. And it has been tough to arrive here," he shared.

While discussing their remarkable season, Molina pointed out the team's unbeaten home record, crediting the fans for their support, which he likened to having an extra player on the field.

"To play here with the fans is like we are playing with one more player. They help a lot here in the stadium. But, being honest, we try to do the same, here or away. They help us a lot. And, the only thing we can tell them is, thank you very much for your support," the coach said.

Finally, Molina expressed pride in the team's performance, with only two losses in 24 matches. However, he also recognised the pressure to exceed expectations in the next season, indicating a commitment to continuous improvement and the ambition to build on their current achievements.

"In 24 matches, only two defeats. That's amazing, we are absolutely happy. But, the only problem now is, what are we going to do the next season. Because everybody is going to expect us to be even better.

And, and it's going to be really difficult. Because of this. This season has been amazing. But of course, we will try, no doubt. If I'm here, we are going to try," he said as he concluded.

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