Manolo Marquez highlights two 'keys to success' in FC Goa's win against Punjab FC

Manolo Marquez is quite happy with the performance of his players.

Following FC Goa’s hard-fought victory against Punjab FC at home in the ongoing season of the Indian Super League (ISL), head coach Manolo Marquez shared his insights on the significance of securing back-to-back wins against two formidable opponents, Bengaluru FC and Punjab FC.

In a closely contested match against Punjab FC on Wednesday, Armando Sadiku maintained his impressive form, netting his eighth goal in seven games, while Iker Guarrotxena delivered the decisive second goal that sealed the deal for the Gaurs.

In the post-match press conference, Manolo Marquez emphasized the importance of these consecutive wins, particularly with the team entering a break period. “We knew that we had two consecutive games at home before the break, and to get six points is fantastic. Not only in terms of moving up the table but because I felt we deserved more points than we had until now,” Manolo Marquez reflected.

He acknowledged that the win was a rewarding experience for his players, who pushed through challenging moments and showcased resilience against a strong Punjab side. “It’s the kind of win that, as a coach, you suffer through, but for the players, it’s a fantastic feeling to win a game like this—fighting until the last moment against a very good team.”

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Manolo Marquez also noted the tension of the match, especially since FC Goa had not secured a third goal to “kill” the game. “We didn’t score the third goal, so we had to suffer until the last minute,” he admitted. However, his satisfaction with his players’ performance was evident, particularly as FC Goa had incorporated talent from their development squad to fill the bench. 

Marquez singled out several players for their contributions, expressing pride in younger talents like Hrithik and Brison, who are now beginning to display their full potential on the pitch. “We indeed have some players from the development team even on the bench, but I am very happy for players like Hrithik, like Bryson, finally they are showing the level, the real level that they have. And more players, not only this,” he quoted.

He also highlighted the impact of Guarrotxena, who has shown remarkable energy and commitment since returning to the field after a long hiatus. “We are very, very satisfied with Iker,” Marquez remarked. “After a long time without playing, to come in like this is fantastic for the team.”

With these two critical victories, FC Goa have moved to third place in the ISL table.

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