Juan Ferrando hits out at referees’ indecision and advocates immediate changes

The ATK Mohun Bagan tactician also backed Vishal Kaith.

ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Mumbai Football Arena. Chhangte opened the scoring with a scorching left-footed curler in the fourth minute, before Finn international Joni Kauko equalized early in the second half with his second goal of the season. Griffiths nudged Mumbai City into the lead, and Juan Ferrando's side went a man down as substitute Lenny Rodrigues was sent off two minutes later.

Against the run of play, with the aid of Vishal Kaith’s heroics and the woodwork, ATK Mohun Bagan took back a point. Carl McHugh scored his only second ISL goal to push ATKMB to fifth in the table. The Mariners’ coach Juan Ferrando was present at the post-match press conference. These are his answers to the media.

What changed late in the first half?

ATK Mohun Bagan enjoyed a good spell of possession late in the first half and reaped the rewards in the second period, as Joni Kauko brought them level. Coach Ferrando said on the tactical changes, “When we played in the Durand Cup, we found spaces between the lines of their midfielders Apuia and Jahouh. Now with Greg Stewart, they controlled better and we had to find spaces behind Rahul (Bheke) and their left-back (Sanjeev) Stalin.

"(In) the first half, the team was not good as we could not find the spaces and we were uncomfortable in transitions. In the second half, the balance of the team was good, and it was a crazy match. We came here with a plan, but identified the problem and changed the plan. We have talented players to do that and the job of the staff is to change some details.”

The aftermath of the red card

Lenny Rodrigues was sent off within half an hour after coming on. A rush of blood saw him commit an off-the-ball foul and he was handed the marching orders immediately after. Juan Ferrando cut an animated figure in the touchline and reasoned, “Honestly everyone makes mistakes: staff, coaches, and referees. But these referees have to decide if it’s a foul, it’s a foul. If it’s a goal, it’s a goal. The problem is when the assistant referees do not agree with the referee’s decision.

"In the end, it is crazy because everyone wants the decision in their favour. The players often tell me one decision, please. Even in big leagues, the referees make mistakes. The big problem today was with the referees because the assistant gave one decision, the second assistant gave a different decision, but the referee told a different thing twice.

"We need to change this, not improve. Sometimes there are two balls on the field. Sometimes throw-ins are not good. In other countries, they joke about the ISL. It is not good. It is necessary to look at these details. Lenny and some players were crazy because we don’t know the decisions and it is difficult for us.”

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Vishal Kaith’s performance

Despite some late heroics, Vishal Kaith was largely at fault for Griffith’s goal. The Australian Centre-back followed up a shot off the cross-bar with a brave header after Kaith missed a punch. Juan Ferrando backed his arsenal of keepers and said, “I trust in Vishal and our other keepers. They are working very well. I am happy when they come back with a good performance after underconfident displays. If one player has 2-3 mistakes then it is a disaster. The problem is psychological.

"With such players, if you continue playing well after such mistakes, I am happy. With Vishal, he is regular. In all the matches maybe he is not a 10 or a 5 but a 7/8. You can improve as a player like this. This point was good as there were 10 players. To take points away is very difficult.

"Playing home-away after covid is hard for players. If you check the statistics more than 90% of the teams win at home. The emotional part is an important part of football.”

The challenge of facing Mumbai City

The Islanders remain unbeaten this season with two wins and three draws, sitting in third place. They have a healthy goal difference of four and have already played some challenging opponents. Ferrando spoke of the threat Mumbai City possesses. “Mumbai is a top team. They have different plans, Greg can play different positions, and their local players Bipin, Chhangte, and Rahul are top-level. They are a very compact team.

"Sometimes they take good decisions on the field. They can find different spaces and change systems. It is good for those watching as it is like three matches in 90 minutes.”