FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez was displeased with his team’s performance in their win over East Bengal FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday.

Brison Fernandes’ goal in the first half proved to be the difference as FC Goa recorded a hard-fought victory. East Bengal FC put pressure on the home team in the second half but could not find a way past a resolute FC Goa defence. The Gaurs stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games and moved up to second on the table with this result.

Marquez termed his side’s displays as one of their poorest this season and was glad that his team ended up on the winning side.

“It was a curious game. Maybe it was the worst game we played in the ISL this season. But we had the more clear chances in the game, on post, one crossbar and Sadiku’s action. I’m not satisfied. I’m not very angry but disappointed. If you play like this in most of the games, you have more possibilities to lose than to win. It’s important you know that during one competition there will be good games, normal games, bad games and it’s important to play when you don’t play very well,” he said in the post-match press conference.

“In the first half, it was more or less because they were waiting, waiting, waiting. In the second half, with more offensive players, every time, they pressed more and we didn;t have enough football to surpass this press and we suffered to contain them. Even in the last five minutes with five defenders, with three centre-backs, we could keep the score and it was like this,” he added.

Hrithik Tiwari put on another solid display between the sticks, making five big saves. He helped the Gaurs record a clean sheet after five games and their first one at home after eight games. Marquez praised Tiwari’s efforts but admitted his team need to step up.

“Tiwari is saving incredible goals every game. And when the goalkeeper is your best player every games, means that you are not doing the correct things. Because one day it will be a goal or he will make a mistake. This is all the goalkeepers in the world. He is a great moment. He is very calm in the goal. Not outside the pitch but in the pitch, he is really calm. He is really important. Everyone is very confident in him,” he said.

The Gaurs not only completed the double over East Bengal FC this season but also continued their winning streak against the Kolkata side, extending that to six games. They are now just six points off leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant and are proving to be serious contenders for the Shield.

“It’s very difficult to remain 11 games unbeaten in this (league) competition because every game is tough and from these 11 games, seven wins and four draws, it is very difficult. This is the reason we are second now on the table. Before the beginning of these 11 games, we were third or fourth from the bottom,” Marquez said.