Molina thought his team dominated and created many chances; Habas: The quality of Indian players has improved

PUNE FAILED TO WIN THE LAST MATCH to treat their travelling fans with some cheer.

Coach Habas speaking after the game to the press said,

“First of all, I want to congratulate ATK for qualifying for the semi-finals and did we survive today? No and today was a different match than in Pune" 

Talking about the final home game of the league stage, Coach Molina shared,

“I think it was a great match and we rested some of the players thinking of the semi-finals and because I also wanted to give other players a chance and Ofentse Nato, Bidyananda Singh, Dani Mallo and Abinash Ruidas played really well. I think we dominated the match, we had possession and created chances and I am happy with the performance. But I am sad about the result,”

FC Pune City Coach shared the reason goal keeper Bete was not part of the squad saying,

"Bete had a personal reason as his wife is pregnant and he has gone to Paris,”

ATK did have their chances and some of the best ones fell to Belencoso. On his misfiring striker, Molina said,

 “We had a lot of chances and I thought the goals would come and Belencoso did well. I understand everybody thinks he should have scored as he had good chances but he did a great job and I am happy”

Habas was asked if he could throw light on the reason ATK have not been able to score a lot of goals at home. He said on a lighter note,

“Maybe they need a lot of people in the stadium and it is not our problem.”

Molina applied an unusual position for Bidyananda Singh last night. Commenting on the decision, the ATK Coach said,

“He can't play as a central defensive midfielder as we have Borja Fernandez, Ofentse Nato and Bikramjit Singh there. He has great technique and his passing combination is good and I played him as a winger as we didn't have other players to play on the wings, other than Sameehg Doutie and Abinash, and he is playing well and improving a lot and I am happy with him. We are trying to accommodate him in another position,”

Asked about his assessment on the Indian players' performance in the Indian Super League, Habas said,

"I think the quality of Indian players has improved a lot as they have become more competitive and have become better player”

ATK may not be able to finish second after the goalless draw last night. This would mean the Kolkata-based team will have to play the first leg of semi away from home. On this, Molina commented,

“I think that is not the key, and it is not important. To play away or at home, it is the same for me and we are happy to play here, and it does not matter if it is the first or second match here”

Habas speaking about his thoughts on a second term with the Stallions said,

“I have one more year on my contract with Pune City and I am happy, and I will try to build a good team for the next season and we are working on this.”

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