ISL 2023-24: We could have taken three points: Hyderabad FC’s Thangboi Singto after draw against Punjab FC

Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto admitted they could have taken all three points against Punjab FC after sharing the spoils with a 1-1 draw in the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday.

Juan Mera scored in the 82nd minute of play to put the Shers in front while playing at home. However, the visitors bounced back as Jonathan Moya equalized late in the stoppage time.

“Today’s game was like the weather – cloudy, sloppy from both teams,” Singto remarked in the post-match press conference.

Singto feels players didn’t have enough rest as they had played at home against Bengaluru FC on Saturday.

“For us as a team, just playing two days back and the travel (schedule). Forget about the travel, maybe not enough rest, so that affected the performance, I would say because there were few changes only. But that can’t be an excuse because when you go onto the pitch wearing the club badge, you have to be able to give your 100 percent. Did we do that? I don’t think so. But did we try? Of course we did. I think a draw is a good result for us, but today was a day where we could have taken the three points,” he added.

The tourists dominated with 58% possession and took four shots on target but they had to settle with a point. Singto admitted they need to work on the final third of the pitch despite dominating in other aspects of the game.

“We had more shots, we had more ball possession, we had more passes and more corners, but that doesn’t really help if you don’t score and win games. Yes, we still need to work as a team in the final third of the pitch, where we need more creativity, where we need more finesse, where we need players to be clinical. The chances were there, if they were taken today, not only today but in the previous games, I think we have created enough chances to win games,” he said.

Singto added, “Going forward, what do we do? We need to keep working in the six-yard, 18-yard box where the players just have to finish the chances we’re creating. That’s an area of concern for us (finishing), but we need to keep working.”

Hyderabad FC will next take on Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on 25th November.