Team reacted and performed better in second half: Staikos Vergetis

Staikos Vergetis mentioned that Punjab FC have to train in Mohali and travel to Delhi for home games.

Punjab FC played out a thrilling draw in their first-ever ISL home game against NorthEast United at the JLN stadium in Delhi. The home side put up the show in the capital despite being at the receiving end of the poor decision yet again by the referee. Punjab FC were robbed off a penalty in the first half after NEUFC defender Asheer Akhtar made a two-footed challenge on skipper Luka Majcen. 

There were too many talking points in the game and the Punjab FC head coach shared the same to the media after the game.

Thoughts on the second half performance

Staikos Vergetis spoke about his side's second half performance and quoted, “It's positive that the team showed one reaction and played much more better in the second half. I can recognize the effort of my players after the final whistle of the referee, but it's unfair for themselves to lose one front."

Over reliance on Juan Mera

Most of the goal-scoring opportunities for Punjab FC came through Spanish midfielder Juan Mera. However, the coach mentioned that the rest of the players too, need to participate in the final third.

“Yes, of course. Mera, in the first half, not so much, but in the attack. The rest of the wingers do similar things of course, and the offensive midfielders have to participate more in the attacking third because they are doing excellent work in the first two thirds but in the attacking third we need more participation,“ he said.

Thoughts on improving ahead in the season 

The Greek head coach shared his thoughts on how his team is planning to improve the performances in the upcoming matches. He commented, “We have to keep on working as we are doing right now. We have to analyze the game. As I said before, we have to search the reasons why the first half of the game was not so good. And work in the field, in the training center every day, so the team can improve and refine their weaknesses.”

Training in Mohali and playing in Delhi

Staikos Vergetis revealed a bizarre situation for his squad that the team did not train at the JLN stadium in Delhi even once before taking the field against NorthEast United. They currently train at Mohali and will travel to Delhi for the matches. 

“It's one unuseful situation but as I said yesterday in the same question at the pre-match conference as professionals we have to adapt,” he mentioned. “This is something that is not allowed. I don't know exactly the reasons to explain to you. But the thing that I know is that it's not allowed.”