Semifinal loss very tough, FC Goa clearly deserved to win: Manolo

Panaji: Manolo Marquez has spent two years with FC Goa, challenged for the Indian Super League (ISL) Shield, created records, and took the team to the semifinals on both occasions.
Goa, however, didn’t make it to the final.
In successive seasons under Manolo, Goa have been knocked out in the semifinals, quite dramatically. If Mumbai City scored three times in stoppage time last season at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, there was more heartbreak for home fans as Bengaluru FC struck in added-on time to clinch the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
Goa won the second-leg semifinal 2-1 on Sunday, but Bengaluru had done enough with their 2-0 first leg win.
“Unfortunately, these things happen, but in FC Goa (it happens) more than ever,” Manolo told reporters after the game against Bengaluru. “It's for the first time in my life that I am at a club that lost the semifinal with Mumbai scoring three goals in injury time. Today, in another game where we could have won 3-0 or 4-0, we conceded a goal in the end (stoppage time) and Bengaluru qualified.”
Trailing by two goals from the first leg, Goa played with intensity and showed attacking intent. They dominated early proceedings, but Bengaluru held firm, keeping the hosts at bay as the first half ended goalless.
The breakthrough came in the 49th minute when Borja Herrera fired home a stunning free-kick. Substitute Armando Sadiku then made it 2-0 in the 88th minute, bringing the aggregate score level and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Then, Sunil Chhetri broke Goan hearts with a late diving header for Bengaluru.
“The loss is very tough because I think the team, at least from the bench, deserved to win this game very clearly. We were much, much better than Bengaluru, even when we played them at their home. But sometimes this is football, and you have to accept it. I am very satisfied with the performance of the team.
“We made a mistake in the last action, but I cannot say anything (to the players). When you play one game in the semifinal of the playoffs, it's very difficult to play with the level that the team played today. In some moments, my feeling was that we were closer to scoring the third goal than the goal of Bengaluru. Not only the players, I want to congratulate the fans. Today was fantastic. If this atmosphere is more usual, we have such atmosphere (for more games), I think the future of Goa is in good hands,” said Manolo.
The experienced coach said his focus is now on the Super Cup which offers a continental spot for the winners.
“We spent fantastic moments with this squad. It's a pity that we couldn't get something more for the fans. I am sure we will have a strong team in the Super Cup,” said Manolo.