ISL Season 8: It was a tough defeat for Odisha FC as they lost 4-1 against Mumbai City FC. This defeat was a huge blow to their playoffs aspirations as they are seventh in the points table and things are looking bleak for the Kalinga Warriors. Follow all the ISL 2021-22 LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN
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— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) February 13, 2022
Interim coach Kino Garcia was visibly disappointed at the post-match press conference as he rued the missed chances. The Spaniard tactician admitted that Mumbai City FC were more clinical in front of goal and that became the difference maker between the two teams.
“I think Mumbai City FC played well. They were clinical in taking their chances. During the match we had chances to score before Jonathas scored. I think the first half was neck and neck. The goals in the last minutes of the first half hit us hard. Then in the second half they scored pretty soon so it changed the game. They were really clinical and we were not. I think Mumbai City FC deserve to win and we need to improve for the next match,” Garcia opined on things that went wrong for Odisha FC.
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Despite their current setback Kino Garcia is still optimistic about his team’s chances. With four matches left the Kalinga Warriors will hope to get maximum points to break into the playoffs.
“We go for the next match against Chennaiyin FC and we still have a chance. There are still 12 points to play. Now we have to keep our heads up. Problem is that we have just 48 hours before the next match so it’s difficult for recovery but it’s better as our minds can’t be thinking about this defeat,” Garcia revealed.
The Interim manager shared a piece of mind as he admitted that though Islanders deserved the win the scoreline was completely unfair. “I think the scoreline is unfair. Mumbai City FC deserved to win but maybe not by this margin. We had chances to score our goals. Jonathas had a chance to score but they were very clinical,” the Spaniard continued.
He highlighted how the Kalinga Warriors were better in the first half but could not capitalise on their chances. He feels that once the team is down by a heavy margin their shoulders tend to drop and that affects a lot mentally. He feels that his team played way better than what the scoreline suggests.
“I don’t think so. I won’t say that we deserve to win but I do think that the match was neck and neck in some moments. I think the match was really tough. In the second half they scored their first chance and then they scored again. Being 3-0 down, it’s difficult to play and the mood goes down and they use this opportunity.
“In the first half, we were better and we were creating chances but they scored, so it was difficult for us. So, in the second half it was difficult for us as we were chasing the match. I think we deserve better than the scoreline,” he concluded.
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