ISL 2017/18: Ranko Popovic demands fair treatment from the referees for FC Pune City
FC Pune City were thumped 4-0 at home by FC Goa in what was the Stallions' biggest defeat this season and also the biggest margin of a loss at home in their history of the ISL. The hosts were just not up for the challenge as Goa ran riot and could have had more on the score sheet if not for Pune's goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.
Ferran Corominas scored a brace for the Gaurs whereas Manuel Lanzarote and Hugo Boumous were the other scorers. The Gaurs also registered their first clean sheet of the season which astonishingly came in the 16th attempt.
Pune's boss Ranko Popovic was naturally disappointed with his side's drubbing at the hands of Goa and expressed his displeasure in the post-match press conference. He reflected, "We didn't play as a team and our performance was disappointing. I was ashamed of it and want to apologise to our supporters."
This match also had a couple of big refereeing decisions which shaped the course of the game. Marcelino looked to had been tripped at the edge of the penalty box in the first half but the referee decided to play on. Popovic claimed that it was "100% a penalty" and also raised doubts about the penalty conceded by Adil Khan.
Popovic added, "The referee today also had not awarded us clear-cut penalties against Kerala Blasters. I also do not think that Marcelino's second booking was worthy of a yellow card. The challenge was similar to the one made by Sifneos at the end which wasn't given as a foul by the referee. Guys, I am in football for so long but I have seen Marcelinho's foul. If he had stayed for long, he could have broken both legs. It is a bit too much. We need fair treatment from the officials."
Sergio Lobera of FC Goa, on the other hand, was ecstatic by the performance levels shown by his side. "Coming to a stadium like this, playing like we did against a team like Pune made me proud of the players. We changed the negative trend but now we need continuity. Goa dominated the game and tactically, we executed our plans to perfection."
With this emphatic win, FC Goa are still in contention of a playoff spot whereas Pune still need a point to confirm their place in the top four.