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Federation Cup: Arata's Goal Brought Back Our Confidence - Pune FC Coach Derrick Pereira
The coach was extremely pleased with what he termed as a 'team effort'...
22-Dec-2009 11:56:31 PM
Pune FC registered a well-deserved victory over one of the Federation Cup favourites Dempo on Tuesday, coming back from behind to win 2-1. It was a landmark victory, especially as the Pune side have failed to win even once in the I-League, although they've drawn six out of eight games.
Goal.com spoke at length with a smiling Derrick Pereira, Pune FC coach, after the game, for his reaction to the result.
Pereira said, "We had to try and get a win against Dempo, and that's what he did. We defended well, and were always dangerous on the counter. I felt it was unlucky that we went a goal down, but we came back strongly, and deserved the win."
More than the result, it was the manner of Pune's offensive play that impressed many, with the side playing much better football than was seen in the I-League by roughly the same players. Pereira attributed that more to the presence of a second striker in the team, in the form of Jeje Lalpekhlua.
"We have our own style of playing, and we used to play good football earlier as well, but had only one striker, Edmar. Now that Jeje is back with us, he has some support up front, which has helped. Also, the midfield today was excellent."
Praise for the strike force and the midfield, but why leave out the defenders? Pereira didn't, and was full of praise for his backline. He added, "Apart from Selwyn, the other three defenders today have played very few games this season, but they did a great job against experienced strikers like Martins and Chhetri."
Pune had dominated the game from the go, and looked the better team, but it was Dempo who took the lead in the 75th minute, when Clifford Miranda scored from a Valeriano cross. It looked like it would be the same old story for Pune, who have drawn many more games than they should have in the league. However, Arata came to the fore and equalized with a stunning strike just two minutes later.
On the goal and it's importance, the coach said, "Yes, the goal was important because it brought the confidence back immediately. We were attacking well all day, but not taking enough shots on goal. Arata has been working very hard in training, and had a good game. Of course, his was a great goal."
One of the surprises of the afternoon was that club captain Shanmugam Venkatesh was on the bench. Pereira waved off any injury concerns, and revealed it was just part of the club's plan for the tournament.
"We have decided to give some players more of a chance in this tournament, which will in turn give us more options once the I-League resumes. That is why we started with Vignesh, who has been doing very well in training."
Pereira is unique among coaches in India, in regard to his record against Dempo. Even during his time at Mahindra, he enjoyed an impressive record against the 2008 I-League champions, and seems to be continuing that with Pune FC.
He laughed at the little piece of trivia, and said, "It's a good observation, but I always thank God for any result against any team, Dempo or otherwise. I don't think about this too much."
Finally, Pune now seem favourites in the group, as Lajong and Air India drew their game later in the day, but Pereira refused to write off Dempo.
"Dempo are a strong side, and will come back. As for ourselves, we need to keep the momentum going, and perform like this in the other games as well. By the grace of God, we'll get good results", he concluded.
Pune FC next face Air India on Christmas Eve.
Atishay Agarwal
For all the latest on the Federation Cup, visit our Federation Cup Page!
Goal.com spoke at length with a smiling Derrick Pereira, Pune FC coach, after the game, for his reaction to the result.
Pereira said, "We had to try and get a win against Dempo, and that's what he did. We defended well, and were always dangerous on the counter. I felt it was unlucky that we went a goal down, but we came back strongly, and deserved the win."
More than the result, it was the manner of Pune's offensive play that impressed many, with the side playing much better football than was seen in the I-League by roughly the same players. Pereira attributed that more to the presence of a second striker in the team, in the form of Jeje Lalpekhlua.
"We have our own style of playing, and we used to play good football earlier as well, but had only one striker, Edmar. Now that Jeje is back with us, he has some support up front, which has helped. Also, the midfield today was excellent."
Praise for the strike force and the midfield, but why leave out the defenders? Pereira didn't, and was full of praise for his backline. He added, "Apart from Selwyn, the other three defenders today have played very few games this season, but they did a great job against experienced strikers like Martins and Chhetri."
Pune had dominated the game from the go, and looked the better team, but it was Dempo who took the lead in the 75th minute, when Clifford Miranda scored from a Valeriano cross. It looked like it would be the same old story for Pune, who have drawn many more games than they should have in the league. However, Arata came to the fore and equalized with a stunning strike just two minutes later.
On the goal and it's importance, the coach said, "Yes, the goal was important because it brought the confidence back immediately. We were attacking well all day, but not taking enough shots on goal. Arata has been working very hard in training, and had a good game. Of course, his was a great goal."
One of the surprises of the afternoon was that club captain Shanmugam Venkatesh was on the bench. Pereira waved off any injury concerns, and revealed it was just part of the club's plan for the tournament.
"We have decided to give some players more of a chance in this tournament, which will in turn give us more options once the I-League resumes. That is why we started with Vignesh, who has been doing very well in training."
Pereira is unique among coaches in India, in regard to his record against Dempo. Even during his time at Mahindra, he enjoyed an impressive record against the 2008 I-League champions, and seems to be continuing that with Pune FC.
He laughed at the little piece of trivia, and said, "It's a good observation, but I always thank God for any result against any team, Dempo or otherwise. I don't think about this too much."
Finally, Pune now seem favourites in the group, as Lajong and Air India drew their game later in the day, but Pereira refused to write off Dempo.
"Dempo are a strong side, and will come back. As for ourselves, we need to keep the momentum going, and perform like this in the other games as well. By the grace of God, we'll get good results", he concluded.
Pune FC next face Air India on Christmas Eve.
Atishay Agarwal
For all the latest on the Federation Cup, visit our Federation Cup Page!
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