Ahead of the clash against NorthEast United FC, Hyderabad FC’s head-coach Manolo Marquez addressed the media in a pre-match press conference.
Having played out four back to back draws until the game against Chennaiyin FC, this is what Manolo Marquez had to say on how big was it to take those three points against Chennaiyin FC.
“When you win a game it is always important, people always say that draws are nothing. Of course, they are nothing but you have more points. That win was important for the team because we put a distance with Chennaiyin as they were closer to us in the points table.”
So the race for the top four is heating up and the gap between the teams fighting for the three spots other than Mumbai is very less, so this what Manolo Marquez said about how important this game against NorthEast United FC is for the race in the top four.
“It is very important because we have entered into the last quarter of the competition, all the teams have had more or less four to five games remaining, this is the reason why it is very important.”
Hyderabad FC has scored 13 goals in January which is more than any other team in the league, Manolo Marquez said the draws which Hyderabad had, have been important.
“You have to look at the whole season in order to judge a team, we have been playing good football, we have been fighting for top four and we will be fighting till the end for the top four. The stats are nice, we have been unbeaten for seven games, draws are looked down but we have been unbeaten for seven games and we are in top four now.”
“There are five games remaining and we have confidence now, we have to continue with this work in every game. We will play the game against NorthEast with good style.“
Manolo Marquez has praised the interim coach of NorthEast United FC; he said Khalid Jamil is a very good coach who gives confidence to his players.
“Khalid’s work is very good; it is not easy to win against ATK, Jamshedpur, Mumbai and also equalizing against Goa when you are down by two goals. Khalid won I-League with Aizawl which is difficult.”
“I think that the most important thing is that, Khalid gives to the players is confidence. One normal player with confidence is better than a very good player with no confidence; NorthEast are with confidence.”
This is what he quoted about their opponents, NorthEast United FC.
“NorthEast United FC have a good organization in defence; they have very good players in the attack, Machado, Gallego and Brown.“
This is what Manolo Marquez said about getting into the top four by the end of the league and the competition right now.
“The only thing is that some teams like Kerala, Odisha and East Bengal practically don’t have options but not mathematically. Now there are fewer chances they can arrive in the top four but at this moment I think ATK MB and Mumbai City FC will surely be in the top four.”
“At this moment FC Goa, Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United FC are with same points, but I think that Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur and Chennaiyin can get into the top four. But every week the chances go down and we are at the top so we don’t have extra pressure.”
Manolo Marquez signed off.
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