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Happy with my players and a point from the FC Goa game: Molina

Published at :October 17, 2016 at 1:42 PM
Modified at :October 17, 2016 at 1:42 PM
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The ATK manager was happy with a point against FC Goa.

Atlético de Kolkata were held to their second consecutive and third draw of the season in the Indian Super League on Sunday evening against last year’s runners-up FC Goa at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata. The hosts started the game brightly and took the lead in the sixth minute courtesy of a Sameehg Doutie screamer from the edge of the penalty area. Both Stephen Pearson and Sanjay Balmuchu were sent off by the referee before former ATK midfielder Jofre scored the Gaurs’ equaliser from the spot to make it 1-1. The draw leaves the winners of the inaugural ISL season third in the table with six points from their four matches so far. Head Coach Jose Molina though wasn’t too downbeat about his second successive draw at home. “Of course, the bad thing is that we again didn’t win at home but the good thing is we didn’t lose. Of course we try to improve because we want to win but okay, one more point, 10 more matches still to play, five more matches here at home. Now we have to work towards the next match thinking what we did well, what we did bad and what we have to improve,” he told reporters after the match. The hosts, however, looked on course for their first win at home by controlling the game and keeping possession for most part of the match. A penalty in the 76th minute, however, changed all that, allowing Jofre to cancel out Doutie’s goal. Molina conceded that while he didn’t think it was a penalty, there was no point in dwelling on the past. “I didn’t see from the dugout, I didn’t see on TV. Borja told me that it was something unlucky, you know. He didn’t want to touch the ball. I think it’s not a penalty. It was very difficult for us because at that moment we were playing better. At that moment we were playing really well, we were defending well, attacking well with good situations,” said Molina. Atletico de Kolkata Head Coach, Jose Molina – however – was neutral on his views when asked about his take on tonight’s refereeing standards. “I don’t think the referee had a great match tonight but these sort of things happen in football. You can’t blame the referee for tonight’s result.” “I don't think the penalty was a correct decision. We were playing very well in that phase of play. We had total control of the match. Later, we just couldn’t recover. However, having said that, I don’t like to give excuses,” Molina added. “I am happy with my team’s performance tonight. I have a total of 25 footballers in my squad and I have a lot of confidence in each and every one of them. It’s true that we are yet to lose a match in the ISL but I am not completely happy since I play to win and not to draw. It’s like the two faces of a coin. There are positives and also negatives. It is up to you on what you want to focus on,” Atletico de Kolkata Head Coach concluded. When asked if the absence of key individuals like marquee player Helder Postiga and Tiri was hampering his side’s progress, the 46-year-old said: “Of course, injuries are something we don’t want to have. I would love to have all my players available for the matches but injuries are something that happen. But I’m really happy with the players who are playing now, happy with Iain Hume, Javi Lara. Abinash Ruidas did a great job today and Henrique Sereno, who started today, also did a great job." Photo © ISL Media

Report by Khel Now Correspondent Rony. Sports passionate and content writer. He is big football and cricket fan.

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