ATK Mohun Bagan head coach, Juan Ferrando has admitted that he is disappointed with his side’s performance during their 4-2 loss to Gokulam Kerala FC in the opening game of the AFC Cup 2022 on Wednesday, 18 May.
A Luka Majcen, along with goals from Rishad and Jithin MS ensured that the visitors came out with all three points in a game that saw ATK Mohun Bagan make a number of defensive errors. Ferrando believes that his sides failure to take their chances and an injury to key defender, Tiri changed the outcome of the game.
“We had so many chances in the first half. The score was good and then in the second half due to injuries we got unlucky. The counter-attacks and transitions were difficult for the team. There are no excuses for the loss. It’s now necessary to put our focus in the next matches which are on Saturday and Tuesday,” he said post the game.
Touched but not sunk… hard days, weeks and months are coming, but I know I will not walk alone! I will try to be mentally strong and come back stronger than ever! Thank you all for the loving messages.??❤️ pic.twitter.com/uhYl9aaDMy
— ????? (@Tiri1991) May 18, 2022
“Tiri’s injury was crucial because we had to change our plan. Then I thought about using Ashutosh Mehta for the transitions. We took the decision and we changed the formation as players like Joni Kauko and David Williams were very tired – because of the weather. We were not ready for the transition. In our case, in the first half we had chances but we were unlucky. This is past now. We need to learn from our mistakes,” Ferrando added.
The Spaniard will be hoping that his side can bounce back and register their first win of the tournament when they face Bashundhara Kings on Saturday, 21 May.
