FC Goa succumbed to their first defeat of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 after being edged out by Mumbai City FC at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday. While the Gaurs played some good attacking football and created quite a few chances, in the end Manuel Arana’s equaliser following Everton Santos’ opener was rendered insignificant by a late Thiago Santos strike. Speaking to the media at the post-match press conference was Goa head coach, Sergio Lobera, who was understandably a disappointed man.

“The feeling isn’t great,” he admitted. “I don’t think this was a match to lose. Particularly because the game was very open in the second half, we created a lot of chances, but unfortunately as it turned out we don’t have the points and the result that we deserved.”

Despite Laxmikant Kattimani making an error that led to Everton Santos’ goal, Lobera defended the goalkeeper. “For me, Kattimani continues to be the best keeper (goalkeeper in the league),” he stated. “I’ve complete faith in him. Despite the tough result we’ve had today, we keep focussing on improving ourselves.”

A legitimate Ferran Corominas goal was wrongly adjudged to have been offside, and Lobera was voiced his distaste. “The referee made a mistake, like many of us make mistakes,” he said. “He gave an offside for the goal, which wasn’t. You must’ve seen it on the television replays. But as I said, everyone’s capable of making errors, so here’s one.”

The Spaniard though, was happy with the way his teamed gelled in the match. “Every team has been created from scratch this year,” he explained. “So, they need time to gel together to perform at the highest level. With my team, we have more or less got the idea. I actually praise the players for playing the sort of game which was not easy.”

Lobera added: “What you guys saw today was a very good game. Both teams played real expansive football. When we play like this, we are bound to concede more often. But to think of it, I would much rather lose 5-4 than draw 0-0.”