FC Goa midfielder Alberto Noguera felt that the Gaurs retreated in the second half and that eventually cost them three points in their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 match against Odisha FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco on Friday evening.

The Gaurs took the lead towards the end of the first half when Ivan Gonzalez poked the ball into the back of the net. However, that strike was negated by Jonathas de Jesus in the 53rd minute.

“Yeah, that's really a bit disappointing because I think that in the first half we played well. But in the second half, we took a step back and the team was not able to get the three points and we feel that we could have done better,” Noguera said, during the post-match interview.

Noguera also talked about how there hadn’t been many major changes to the team’s mentality since former head coach Juan Ferrando’s departure to ATK Mohun Bagan.

“Well, I think that the players are the main characters here and whoever is on the bench. We are here to do our best, and that's the only thing that we have. Doesn’t matter if Juan is here or not, whoever is in there, we need to help them, and that is important. I think we need to look forward and try to get the three points in the next game,” the midfielder added.

Odisha FC defender Hector Rodas was also disappointed with the result, although he was content with the point earned.

“Yes, of course, we wanted to get the three points. We made more offensive changes and we tried to create chances. Okay, we did not win, but we are happy for the one point,” Rodas remarked.

Gonzalez, who was awarded the Hero of the Match for his stellar performance for FC Goa, acknowledged that they were embroiled in a tough scrap against the Odisha FC.

“Yes, today was a difficult game. We know that Odisha FC is playing well. And we got one point and it was a hard game. And now, we are thinking about the next game against ATK Mohun Bagan,” the Spaniard stated.

Odisha FC will be up against Hyderabad FC in their next game at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on December 28th. FC Goa, on the other hand, are set to lock horns with ATK Mohun Bagan the following day at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.