Head Coach Albert Roca Spoke To The Club Website Following The Strong Show Which Earned His Blues’ Side A 1-1 Draw In The First Leg Of The AFC Cup Semifinal Against Johor Darul Ta’zim. Excerpts…
His take on the team’s performance…
“I am happy about the result as I am happy about the performance. Johor are a tough team to face and have very good strikers. We did a good job under the circumstances. In the second half, we were equal with them. We deserved to score that goal because we created danger in the final third. We are up against the defending champions and we will not forget that going into the second leg.”
On the game-plan going into the second leg in Bengaluru…
“We have to go home and try to win. Johor are a very good side. They can score at any moment and playing for a draw wouldn’t be the right way to approach the game. The intention is to win. Our supporters will be there and we have to put on a good performance for them”
On his side’s defensive showing on the day…
“We knew that they have very good strikers so we have reinforced our defense. The idea was to not let them be comfortable during the game. A few individual mistakes allowed them to take control and score. It was good for us to arrive at half time, we adjusted a little bit and I think we did quite well and came out with the result we deserved.”
About Johor’s strikers who are suspended for the second leg…
“We are playing against 11 players in the second leg as well. I will not be thinking too much about their suspended players. Their substitutes will see it as an opportunity to perform well and get their team to the final. It’s not going to be easy. We have to keep fighting, even more than we did today, if we are to make the final.”
On Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s strike…
“It was a decisive goal. After going 1-0 down, to come away with a draw is always difficult. Eugene had a chance to take the shot and he scored the goal. But, the team has fought throughout the 90 minutes of the game, apart from when we scored the goal, which is why we have come away with this result.”
About his team’s response to the new philosophy…
“We had only one week to change the system. I am really proud of the players because it’s not easy to come in and teach a new philosophy, new systems, strategies and tactics. The response of the players has given me the confidence to work forward towards the final. We have a few weeks to prepare well for the next match and as I said, it will definitely be harder.”
