Coppell is filled with joy over win; Guimaraes: We didn’t have the coordination in passing and it hurt us

Winning Coach of the night, Coppell spoke to the reporters and shared his happiness.

“There was a lot more zest today, the way our team played today. The players were driven to prove a point today. They took the game to the opposition. It was because of that extra drive that we created more opportunities. You can't guarantee scoring goals but if you keep creating opportunities over a period of time you will get your return"

He went on to say,

“It would be easier for the players to get discouraged in the second half, but the players just kept on going. The energy in the team was most impressive for me. They wanted to make the fans happy. I hope the fans noticed that the players are very committed to the cause.”

Coppell fielded a changed side after Pronoy's suspension and Forlan still being unfit. If he missed his choicest playersm replied,

“You got to understand that in this situation you got to make some adjustments like we did, so I took a chance to make the first eleven with players who played there in Dubai in the pre-season but in the first half we didn’t have the touch. We lost too many balls and we didn’t create many chances and they profited from this"

Guimaraes  continued,

 “Then during the half time, we made some adjustments and I think we came back better in the second half and even better in the last twenty-five minutes where we also had our chances but now in four days we have Delhi there. We have to watch tomorrow and the day after as to who recovers and who all we have. I mean Diego is injured, Boithang also felt a little heavy, something with his leg but we have to manage.”

Marquee Aaron Hughes started for Kerala and the defence did well to keep the Mumbai shots from troubling their goal. On the good show by the back line Coppell said,

“After the last game I thought Cedric would have struggled but he is a warrior, he wants to play every game. He works very hard to be fit. Aaron Hughes flew 15-20 hours from Germany and he came in and told me I want to play. A solid defensive unit is very important as it gives us a strong base going forward. Everyone played an important role today. If you are going to be a successful team you need everyone in the team to do their part.”

Guimaraes refused to admit that Kerala defence weren't  kept on their toes by the Mumbai forward line and said,

“I don’t think they had an easy day. In the first half yes they were at ease but in the second half I don’t think so"

On his decision to leave out Ralte from the starting 11 said,

“We have started rotating some players especially in our defensive department because we need them fresh and Ralte has been doing very well I agree but if I continue to push him, then there can be some damage, so Facundo Cardozo played and did very well. Now we had the opportunity to rest Ralte a little bit and have him ready for Delhi"

Coppell didn't wish to think too far after this win and said 

“I don't believe in setting up targets. Game by game I try to plan and win the game. The goal that Atlético de Kolkata scored against us was a deflected shot. It seemed a little cruel to us. But the points would obviously make a difference. That's how it is. Every game is going to come thick and fast now, so we have to collect as many points as possible. Once we come into rhythm we will keep winning"

Guimaraes agreed that Mumbai were not even close to the performances they have given in the past 3 games and said,

“We didn’t have the passing accuracy like the last three games which were very good but it didn’t happen today and we didn’t have the coordination in passing and it hurt us as we came here to win the game but our movements in the second half shows that even though they scored we came here to win the game.”

Alongside Coppell was Chopra who scored the only goal of the game. Speaking about his feeling on scoring shared,

“I've been waiting two years to score this goal. It's a great feeling. I am emotional right now. People remember the save by the goalkeeper in the final of Hero ISL 2014, the last match the goalkeeper pulled off another good save. Then again in the first half another good save made me wonder when I would score my first goal. When I finally scored in the second half it was just a great feeling to score a goal in India"

Mumbai host FC Goa on October 21 and Guimaraes hopes to Forlan fit enough to feature in the starting 11, he replied,

“I think he should be back once we get back to Mumbai for the game against Goa,”

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