MARGAO
Goa head coach Mateus Costa acknowledges that Thursday’s match against Tamil Nadu in the Group stage of the 78th Santosh Trophy at Deccan Arena, Hyderabad, will be both mentally and physically challenging for his players.
Goa is still recovering from two successive defeats in their previous matches. Speaking to The Goan Every Day, Costa said, "The match will be very difficult. We need to recover mentally and physically. We will play for the three points, and even though we are favourites to win, we must perform on the pitch to secure the victory."
While Tamil Nadu has one point from their games, Goa is yet to win in the tournament. Costa admitted that his team has not had the best of times in Hyderabad, having lost both their previous matches. However, he believes the team has learned valuable lessons from their mistakes.
"The greatest lesson we have learned from the two games is the need to learn from our mistakes," Costa said. "I am proud of my players’ efforts, and we’ve learned a lot, particularly the importance of discipline. Football teaches us many lessons, and we must apply them. We are determined to make up for our losses in tomorrow's match and will give our best to come back stronger by correcting our mistakes."
