ISL 2017/18: FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera laments allowing Bengaluru score from set-piece
After Bengaluru FC comfortably beat his team 2-0 on Friday night at the Kanteerava Stadium, FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera lamented his team's run of form which has led to the side becoming playoff contenders instead of confirming their spot at the top of the table.
Goals from Edu Garcia and Dimas Delgado saw the Blues extend their lead at the top of the ISL table and also become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals by sealing a playoff spot. On the other hand, Goa are still sixth but do have games in hand.
"What we need to focus on now is the dynamics of the team," Lobera said. "We've had three difficult games where we haven't had results go our way."
Goa have not won their last three games in the ISL; picking up just a point. They lost to Mumbai City (4-3), drew with NorthEast United (2-2), and lost to the league leaders today.
"We need to regain that positive mentality we had when we were doing well." Goa were top of the table at one point and could have regained the lead had they won their games in hand but this result now sees them fighting for a playoff spot.
"We started the game well. In the first 20 minutes, we had the ball - we kept possession - and I think that was when we were at our strongest. The game was very evenly-balanced until that point when they scored from a set-piece."
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The home side took the lead in the first half when Edu Garcia's looping header from a corner beat the goalkeeper and the defender at the post to find the back of the net.
"We knew that we were a good team on set-pieces and we cannot allow them to score a goal like that. It's the little details like this that make all the difference and this (the set-piece goal) was the detail that made difference."
'We cannot make excuses': Lobera
With Ferran Coro (the ISL's top goalscorer this season with 13 goals) failing to impose himself, new signing Mark Sifneos was a player Lobera would have loved to bring on in the game but the Dutch forward was not in the squad for the game today.
"He couldn't make it on time for this game, he couldn't join the squad," the Spanish coach said. "Obviously he was missed, as was Brandon [Fernandes], but we cannot make excuses. All we can do is prepare in the best possible manner for our next game."
FC Goa's next fixture is against Chennaiyin FC at home on 15 February.