Derrick Pereira rues individual mistakes, conceding silly goal in JFC defeat

The loss leaves the Gaurs at ninth with only 14 points from as many games.

FC Goa locked horns with Jamshedpur FC at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim. The match saw the Men of Steel emerging victorious, courtesy a solitary goal from Daniel Chima in the 49th minute from a Laldinliana Renthlei assist. Derrick Pereira's side also had their opportunities, but were denied by the woodwork on three occasions.

After suffering another loss, Goa remained in the ninth spot in the points table. Here's what FC Goa head coach Derrick Pereira had to say in the post-match press conference.

Opportunity lost to get three points?

Another loss on the plate for FC Goa. They are certainly in a situation where losing points is equivalent to losing an opportunity to make it to the playoffs.

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Was this an opportunity lost to capture all three points? Pereira started, “Absolutely. We did everything. We started well for the first 15 to 20 minutes and had some chances. Then, they started pressing us. We sustained their pressure. In the next 15 to 20 minutes, we got back. In the second half, we tried our best. We hit the post thrice. I think the luck this season has not been in our favour. Lots of things didn’t go our way (this season). But yes, we have to get back and look for the next one.”

One shot from Jamshedpur and that resulted in goal

FC Goa changed their defensive shape from a back three in the previous match to a back four in tonight’s fixture and played really well. Apparently, Jamshedpur FC registered just one shot on target and that resulted in the goal.

When asked if it is frustrating as a defensive unit, Derrick Pereira mentioned, “Players were claiming offside. I don’t know. I really have to see what exactly happened. But, we cannot switch off like that. That’s what has been happening all this season – we concede some silly goals due to our own mistakes and then we struggle to get back into the game.”

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Other teams taking advantage of the kind of football FC Goa play?

FC Goa follow a particular footballing philosophy that reflects on their on-the-field performance. However, they are going through an unsuccessful season so far.

Are the other teams taking advantage of the kind of football the Goan outfit play? The head coach opined, “The teams come with plan. They know our style. They know we keep possession and play. But, during the course of the match, we have to change to a different style. Like whenever there is an opportunity upfront, we need to look for it. But, we tend to keep possession. That has been our downfall in this league.”

On Jorge Ortiz's last-minute injury

Jorge Ortiz’s name had to be removed from the team-sheet after he suffered an injury during training ahead of the clash. Pereira shed light on the event, “Ortiz had a slight strain. We took care of him. He wanted to start the game, but we didn’t want to risk him. He couldn’t carry on after the warm-up. It was risky, so we pulled him out.”

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On Brandon Fernandes

After coming back from an injury, midfielder Brandon Fernandes got his first start this evening. The 27-year-old played some good football throughout his stay.

How important is the midfielder for Derrick Pereira’s plans moving forward? The tactician quipped, “Brandon is a quality player. In today’s match, with him around we were moving the ball well. He is a player who can create opportunities for other players – scoring opportunities, I mean. He is good at set-pieces – his deliveries are deadly. So, he is very very important for us. I was happy that he played 80 minutes. After we conceded the goal, I had to carry on with him for another 10 minutes.”

Each match now “do-or-die”?

FC Goa have managed just a solitary win in their last nine encounters.

When asked if every match from now on will be “do-or-die” or not, the coach asserted, “We have been going in with that attitude right from last 5-6 matches. Ever since, I have joined, we have been going with that attitude. But, things are not happening the way it should have been. There are some individual mistakes here and there, which puts us down.”

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