FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez expressed his satisfaction with the performance of his players as they delivered a resilient effort at home to edge past league leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Friday.

Brison Fernandes gave the hosts the lead in the 12th minute with his shot taking a deflection off Tom Aldred, wrong-footing Vishal Kaith. The visitors gradually found their rhythm in the game, while the Gaurs maintained their attacking threat on the counter.

Match Result: FC Goa 2-1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant

The Mariners equalized in the second half with Dimitrios Petratos converting a penalty. However, the Gaurs responded immediately with Borja Herrera delivering a pinpoint ball to the far post, where Fernandes dove in to score his second, with Herrera registering his second assist.

With the victory, FC Goa extended their unbeaten run to seven matches and moved up to third place, just four points behind the Mariners.

“I feel when you play these kinds of games against these kinds of teams, you need to be very clinical in the chances, and you need to be lucky in some moments,” Marquez said during the post-match press conference.

“I don't feel that we were lucky. It's true that maybe they had more of the ball than us, but we can say that the draw is fair or would be fair,” he added.

“I feel that after the equalizer we reacted very well in that moment and immediately we scored the second goal. Obviously, you have to suffer in these games, but we played with a lot of order and I feel that I am very, very, very satisfied with the players,” the Spaniard continued further.

This marked only the second defeat of the season for Jose Molina’s side, who are still firmly sitting at the top of the table. Despite the defeat, they enjoyed more of the ball possession, but the Gaurs displayed their clinicalness in the final third to grind out the vital three points.

“Everyone knows more or less that this team, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, are the favourites to win the ISL Shield. And then to win one game against these kinds of teams, you have to play very well with a lot of order, lacking some moments, but I feel the team was much more disciplined,” he stated.

However, Marquez believes there are still areas to improve, particularly the need to maintain attacking momentum after taking the lead, as he feels that defending for extended periods becomes more challenging when facing formidable sides.

“We need to improve because in some games we score early and then we defend with a lot of order but we need to go to the attack and we need to continue playing.

“You need to play because it's very difficult to be all the time defending, and more against this kind of team. Bengaluru FC the other day, or Mohun Bagan SG today – they are two of the best teams in the ISL,” Marquez opined.

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