FC Pune City succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Chennaiyin FC at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune on Sunday. Chennai skipper Henrique Sereno scored the only goal of the match in the second half as Pune stumbled to their second loss of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18.

The result meant that Pune have yet to register a win against Chennai in the Hero ISL. While addressing the media at the post-match press conference though, Pune head coach Ranko Popovic insisted that his side deserved the win. “It is very hard for us to lose a game like this. We deserved to win the game because we were the better team, even if we were tired it’s not an excuse. It’s our fourth game in 10-11 days and it was evident in the second half, the players tried but did not have the energy,” he said.

Popovic continued: “But I’m proud of the guys, the way they’re playing, especially the first half was very nice. Unfortunately, we didn’t score the goals and football is cruel like today. One chance, one set piece and they go with three points. The positive is that the power and energy was good, good shape, nice football. First half was clear domination, second half we didn’t have clear cut chances, it’s easy to say now but the guys have 2-3 days to recover, we will see then.”

When asked if he thought the opposition had come for a draw, Popovic said: “I don’t know. What I know is that they’re going away with three points, this is what I don’t like. For me sincerely, if we got the draw, it was at least one point. My situation is the same, we tried to win the game and I’m happy that the guys tried to do this. It didn’t go in our favour, but what we can do is get refreshed in our heads and look for the positives. I think the better team was Pune, but the better team didn’t win this.”

Commenting on his side’s apparent lack of intent in the game, the Serbian added: “We wanted to (play with more intent) but we didn’t have the power. I brought the guys to put more energy and power in the second half, they must put more pressure but this what I’m angry about. But generally I cannot ask for more. Isaac (Vanmalsawma) was playing first time, he played very good. This is one boy who played serious football for the first time. (Emiliano) Alfaro is one example who didn’t train for three days because of fever. He fought like a 20-year-old boy. This a positive for our team to have players like this.”