Kino Garcia: Mumbai City FC deserved to win; however the final score was unfair

Kino Garcia was left regretting his team’s missed opportunities in the first half as Odisha FC lost 1-4 to Mumbai City FC at the PJN stadium, Margao, Goa on Sunday.

Garcia thought the Islanders were more clinical in front of goal, and it proved to be the difference between the two sides. He also considered that the score line did not accurately reflect how the game was played.

Garcia spoke to the media after the match.

Here are the excerpts from the post-match press conference:

What went wrong for your team today?

I think Mumbai City FC played well. They were clinical in taking their chances. During the match we had chances to score before Jonathas scored. I think the first half was neck and neck. The goals in the last minutes of the first half hit us hard. Then in the second half they scored soon so it changed the game. They were clinical, and we were not. I think Mumbai City FC deserve to win and we need to improve for the next match.

Where does the team go from here?

We go for the next match against Chennaiyin FC, and we still have a chance. There are still 12 points to play. Now we must keep our heads up. Problem is that we have just 48 hours before the next match so it’s difficult for recovery but it’s better as our minds can’t be thinking about this defeat.

What would you tell the team to lift the spirit with important games coming up?

I think the score line is unfair. Mumbai City FC deserved to win but maybe not by this margin. We had chances to score our goals. Jonathas had a chance to score but they were very clinical.

Was the result a fair assessment of how you played?

I don’t think so. I won’t say that we deserve to win but I do think that the match was neck and neck in some moments. I think the match was tough. In the second half they scored their first chance and then they scored again. Being 3-0 down, it’s difficult to play and the mood goes down and they use this opportunity. In the first half, we were better, and we were creating chances, but they scored, so it was difficult for us. So, in the second half it was difficult for us as we were chasing the match. I think we deserve better than the score line.