Josep Gombau: We've had two very good strikers this season

The tactician reflected on an important victory that keeps his side alive in the race for the playoffs.

Odisha FC secured an important 2-1 comeback victory over struggling NorthEast United FC in their latest Indian Super League fixture. The victory keeps their slim hopes alive for a top-four finish this term. In his post-match interaction, Josep Gombau looked content with the result. Reflecting on the game and his team’s performance, he said, “We are so happy that we won the game, it was the objective. Now, we have the next game which can be very important, depending on what happens between Mumbai and Chennaiyin.” [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] “I think we played well. n the first half, we did not deserve to go to the changing room losing 0-1. At half-time, we discussed with the players and changed a few things. I think we came back in the second half very strong. The proof of that is we scored in the first minute in the second half, which makes us believe more in what we are doing. We were very brave...we showed them that we wanted to win this game,” he further added. Odisha will face the Kerala Blasters in their last league fixture of the season. Upon being asked about the game, Josep Gombau said, “We will work hard to try to beat Kerala. They will be a very strong opposition.” The 43-year-old was also asked about his side’s inability to convert chances, to which he responded by saying, “It is not easy to score a goal. I think the players deserved to win and they did well. I am happy for them. If we scored a couple more goals, it would have been a fair result.” “The goal that we conceded was our mistake and when you make a mistake, the other team normally punishes you. It is something that we need to work on. The goal we conceded is a goal that we allowed them to score because we defended very poorly,” added the Spaniard. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] Speaking on the impact Manuel Onwu has had at Odisha FC, the tactician said, “We had two very good strikers this season. First half of the season we had Aridane (Santana), in the summer we decided to bring him. He was a player that fit very well in the style that we play.” “When we lost him, for us it was very difficult to replace, but I knew Onwu from Spain. I know the kind of player he is, he is a player who can score a lot of goals, if we provide him with good crosses. We are so happy with him, he is amazing and scoring a lot of goals. Also, the way that he fit inside the dressing room, he is a very humble person.” Asked about the booking he received in the game, Josep Gombau answered, “I had one yellow card, my mistake, I apologize. Sometimes, the referees need to understand the approach of the coaches, we are trying very hard to win the game as it is our job.” [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS] "These last games also we have to win and sometimes they need to understand our actions. But, you never would see me speak wrong for the referees. It’s my mistake, If I don’t give the ball, I don’t receive the yellow, that’s all I need to remember for the next time.” Josep Gombau, before ending his interaction, spoke about his team’s chances in the last match against Kerala Blasters. In that reference, he said, “I think we will work well that we have been doing all week. I think that we can win. But, the problem is that we need to wait after the win which is something that is not in our hands.”