ISL 2018 | International break comes at a good time for us, says Goa coach Sergio Lobera

SportsCafe Desk
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After winning against Kerala Blasters FC last evening, Goa coach Sergio Lobera has asserted that the international break is starting from the day after their win and this is a good time for his boys to take rest. The Spaniard credited the team for backing striker Ferran Corominas in scoring goals.

FC Goa has now extended their lead at the top of the points table in the ongoing season of the Indian Super League after a convincing 3-1 win against Kerala Blasters in Kochi. Goa now has 16 points from seven games and has only one draw and one defeat in the season so far. They played a number of games in the previous week and the Head Coach feels that the 10-day international break starting from today is a right time-out for them.

"In the recent past, we have had to play games back to back and quite close to each other and I think the break comes at a good time for us. Right now, we have a good phase of form, but we have an obligation to try and maintain that," Lobera said during the post match press conference. 

Striker Coro scored a brace for the Gaurs while Manvir Singh came in as a substitute and converted on a corner in the second half. The Goa keeper Mohammad Nawaz couldn’t keep a clean sheet in the game as Nikola Krcmarevic found the back of the net to score a consolation goal for the home team in injury time. 

"I’m very happy with the performance. We deserved it completely. But yes, I think we would have liked to have a clean sheet as well. I would have liked us to score more goals as we created a lot of clear opportunities which we failed to take. I thought the team defended extremely well. In the second half, they found it very difficult to find spaces in our half."

Speaking about Coro’s contribution to the Gaurs, Lobera said, "He is very good. And the team he has behind him allows him to shine the way he does. It’s a combination of both. The quality that he has serves very well for us." 

With the loss against FC Goa, Blasters have now two defeats in the league and are at the seventh position with only one win against ATK. Their coach David James is of the opinion that their performance was below par against a team which has done well in the season. The two games that Kerala has lost are against Bengaluru FC and FC Goa, the teams that are leading the points table this year.

"We have lost to the two of the best teams in the Hero ISL now (Bengaluru and FC Goa), so in some ways, it is a little bit easier to take. I felt that in the first-half we weren’t quite up to the pace. Goa are a very good side and when you give them an early lead, you know it is going to be a tough battle. Second-half, we were better in parts. It is just frustrating because when you play the best sides you need to be at your best and we were short of that today," the Kerala coach stated. 

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