FC Goa’s Spanish coach Manolo Marquez believes the team must have to make a habit of playing at the highest level to grow up. He means by saying ‘highest level’ is the AFC Champions League-2 at least.
After Goan outfit edged past East Bengal via a tie-breaker to lift the Super Cup for the third time on Sunday in Margao, Goa Marquez said, “We have to play competitive games every year. We need to qualify every season to increase our level because when you play against better players, your level improves and at the moment, I mean ACL-2 is a much better competitive tournament.”
East Bengal’s assistant coach, Bino George felt his team created better opportunities, taking the game to the defending champion.
“We had more chances at the home of FC Goa. We played a good game, but penalty shootouts are unpredictable. We dominated the first half entirely,” he said.
Marquez, though, felt the goalless draw in the end was a fair reflection of the game.
“I don’t share this opinion. There were some moments for both teams. We hit the post twice and had the clearest chances. Both teams were better in certain moments. It was a very tactical game, and the score was fair in my opinion.
“I don’t believe too much when people say penalty shoot-outs are lotteries, but today, I felt it was because both teams were completely dead,” he said
