Win over Mumbai City FC showed that we can beat any team: Hyderabad FC's Manuel Maquez
Hyderabad FC head coach Manuel Marquez threw light on the mood of the camp ahead of their match against Jamshedpur FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22, at the GMC Athletic Stadium, in Bambolim.
Hyderabad FC head coach Manuel Marquez threw light on the mood in the camp ahead of their match against Jamshedpur FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Athletic Stadium, in Bambolim.
After a narrow loss to Chennaiyin FC in the opening match, Hyderabad FC staged an inspiring comeback to outclass defending champions Mumbai City FC 3-1 in the following game.
Marquez addressed the media ahead of Thursday’s game in the pre-match press conference.
Here are the excerpts from the press conference:
What according to you worked for you in the match against Mumbai City FC?
First of all, I have to tell you that I am very happy, and all the staff and I’m sure all the fans and all the people from Hyderabad are also happy. Of course we work a lot if you want, if we want to win against the champions. I think that the other day, in the last game (against Chennaiyin FC) was totally the opposite. We created chances, but we didn't score the other day. In the last match, Mumbai had the ball more than us, but we scored three goals and we were on target four times.
How much of a psychological boost was it to win the game against Mumbai City FC after the loss to Chennaiyin FC?
The point is that we showed that we can beat every team. If you win against the champion, it means that you can win every game. Previously I had told why we cannot beat Mumbai City FC. So, most of the time it is the same concept.
It did not compensate, because you cannot recover the three points lost in the Chennai FC match, but this is a long race, in the regular season, the team who deserve, they are the champions. Of course, when you play a game every four-five days, it is not only about the sports, but about the mentality too.
Moving on the next match, what are your views about Jamshedpur FC?
Jamshedpur FC is Owen Coyle’s team and are always tough opponents for example, we are the same coaches in both teams from the last season and both games last season between the teams ended in a draw. They were very good games, teams playing with different styles.
I think that in this season, they have players which I know regarding their style of football. Last season, they played more direct action. This year, especially with Greg Stewart, they play more with the ball. They have a lot of players from last season, so I think more or less, a lot of people say that the team is a clear candidate to fight for the top four.
Joao Victor and Bartholomew Ogbeche scored goals in the last game, can we see more Indian players scoring in the upcoming games?
You are seeing that there are more good Indian players that are showing that they can compete at the same level, their personality. And, of course the other day, Rohit Dani who scored for our team. But, but for sure that we have more young players that will play in this season, in the upcoming games.
Any special preparations to tackle Nerijus Valskis and Jordan Murray?
You spoke about Valskis, Murray. Yes, I can speak about Ishan Pandita, Greg Stewart. They have very, very good players in every part of the pitch. Valskis and Murray have to finish all the work. They are, the players will have to finish all the work, but they have very fast and skillful wingers. They have good players in the, in the midfield
They have Jitendra (Singh), Pronay (Halder) Alex Lima, they have Mobashir (Rahman), don't don’t know if he'll play, because Mobashir didn't play the first two matches. They have very good players in every position. I think they have a compact team.