Ranko Popovic: We were closer to the win and deserved to win
FC Pune City held Bengaluru FC to a 1 – 1 draw in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. Sarthak Golui gave the Stallions a first-half lead before Miku equalised for the Blues in the second period. Pune would have sealed qualification for the playoffs with a win, but the draw means that they still have to win a few points before guaranteeing a spot.
Addressing the media at the post-match press conference was Pune’s head coach RankoPopovic and although there were a few decisions that might have incorrectly gone against his team, he was quick to jump to the referees’ defence. “This is one of the most talented Indian referee,” the Serbian stated. “I know he tried to keep the balance between the two teams. We tried from our side to help him because he is still young and is one of the most promising for Indian football. Tonight, I was not satisfied with some of his decisions, but I respect the referees, and I know he will learn and be a good referee in future.”
Asked whether the result was a point gained or two points dropped, Popovic replied, “I think we were closer to the win and we deserved to win the game. We were organised, they did not have any big chances before the goal and we had some situations which could have easily gone in our favour.”
He also added, “If we take the big part of the game, I think we were closer to winning it and this was necessary for us to make history. But we are going on a good way and I hope we will very soon do what everyone is expecting from us.”
Even though the 50-year-old was disappointed after failing to seal qualification, he maintained that his team would get the job done soon. “We lost one chance today (to make the playoffs),” Popovic remarked. “Had we won today, we would have practically been in the semi-finals. But, this is good for football, and also for us. We have to challenge and we have a couple of days before the game, and like all the games, we will try to get three points from that.”
Would people even show for that? In a huge stadium, at a shit team, for a team that has not done shit over 4 years. They have shown zero ambition! No big players, nothing to show they care. No wonder people deserted them. Them and ATK need to be burned with fire!
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Ranko Popovic: We were closer to the win and deserved to win
FC Pune City held Bengaluru FC to a 1 – 1 draw in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. Sarthak Golui gave the Stallions a first-half lead before Miku equalised for the Blues in the second period. Pune would have sealed qualification for the playoffs with a win, but the draw means that they still have to win a few points before guaranteeing a spot.
Addressing the media at the post-match press conference was Pune’s head coach Ranko Popovic and although there were a few decisions that might have incorrectly gone against his team, he was quick to jump to the referees’ defence. “This is one of the most talented Indian referee,” the Serbian stated. “I know he tried to keep the balance between the two teams. We tried from our side to help him because he is still young and is one of the most promising for Indian football. Tonight, I was not satisfied with some of his decisions, but I respect the referees, and I know he will learn and be a good referee in future.”
Asked whether the result was a point gained or two points dropped, Popovic replied, “I think we were closer to the win and we deserved to win the game. We were organised, they did not have any big chances before the goal and we had some situations which could have easily gone in our favour.”
He also added, “If we take the big part of the game, I think we were closer to winning it and this was necessary for us to make history. But we are going on a good way and I hope we will very soon do what everyone is expecting from us.”
Even though the 50-year-old was disappointed after failing to seal qualification, he maintained that his team would get the job done soon. “We lost one chance today (to make the playoffs),” Popovic remarked. “Had we won today, we would have practically been in the semi-finals. But, this is good for football, and also for us. We have to challenge and we have a couple of days before the game, and like all the games, we will try to get three points from that.”