Jorge Costa: Raynier Fernandes and Sourav Das had a good game
Published at :December 30, 2019 at 5:40 AM
Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM
(Courtesy : ISL Media)
The Portuguese was happy with how the new players lived up to their expectations.ed
A Modou Sougou brace was enough for Mumbai City FC to beat Hyderabad FC 2-1 at the Mumbai Football Arena, as the Islanders climbed back into the top four. Jorge Costa was delighted with his team's performance and interacted with the media in the post-match press conference. The Portuguese tactician firstly addressed the issues put across by his opposite number Phil Brown about game-management and his sour relationship with the referees. "I think the referee added seven minutes in the end and it was fair for me." [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] "I am happy in India and I am here to help and share my experience in aspects I can help and then we have the reality. You are here because you can write, speak on TV, so I am here to do my job. To play well and help my players to be better and get into the Indian national team, this is my job. All the other things are up to you, you have the pen and the paper, you can share the things you feel," he added. Jorge Costa lauded the performances of Indian youngster, Sourav Das, who featured for the first time this season. The Portuguese also highlighted the areas in which his team played well and where they weren't up to the mark. "We lost (Paulo) Machado, (Rowllin) Borges and Amine (Chermiti) for this game, so it was difficult. It was the first game for Sourav, Valpuia and Bidyananda (Singh). As you can see, we lost two important midfielders, but the others had a very good game. We played a good first half. We scored and we had 2-3 clear chances to score." "In the second half we were not so good, did not have the ball that much and then played almost 30 minutes with 10 men. Not easy, but in football, sometimes you play very well, but still you lose. " "I feel we played well against a good opposition and looking at them, I think it is not fair where they are (points table) and they do not deserve this. It was not an easy game and all the teams here are very good", Jorge Costa opined about Hyderabad FC. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] The referees have been under the scanner for quite some time this season, mainly because of their wayward decisions. However, Costa seemed more concerned with his team's performance and feels that complaining won't help them get the standards higher. "If I want I can be here and say the things I have in my mind. I know its not Brown or (Sergio) Lobera only, almost all the coaches are complaining about it. But, in the end, I don't feel that if I start complaining, that will help them get better. We need to be better every day." When quizzed about Mumbai City's recent form and his opinion on entering the top four in the last match of the year. The Portuguese sounded satisfied, but was pragmatic at the same time. He continued, "Yes, it was very important, especially this was our first win at home. So, it was the hard work of the players, the hard work of the fans. It was important to believe that we can win at home, in front of our supporters. Three points are very important for us, but we have 16 points now and we must keep going. I must keep doing my job and the players must do their job and the same goes for the management. We lost Machado for the whole season, a very important player, but we have to get together and see what we can do. We need to be honest with our work and work hard every day and then only we can finish in the top four." [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS] "Raynier (Fernandes) and Das had a good game, they were not perfect, but they played the game which I was waiting from them. This was the first start for Das after 10 games, so it was difficult. Raynier has had injuries, so it wasn't easy for him either," Costa added when quizzed about his opinion on the performance of the Indian duo in midfield. Lastly, the former FC Porto man revealed news about Paulo Machado's condition and his inability to continue for the Islanders this campaign. Jorge Costa clearly pointed out that it is difficult to replace the Portuguese midfielder. "It is almost impossible to replace Paulo Machado." "I say almost because I still believe in miracles. But, we will only bring someone who we feel can lead Mumbai City, not just to fill foreigner's slot," he concluded.Latest News
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