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Head coach Mark Jackson wants Central Coast Mariners to continue improving following their 4-0 win against India’s Odisha FC in the first leg of their AFC Cup 2023/24 Inter-Zone semifinal on Thursday.
The win leaves Mariners comfortably placed heading into the return leg at the Kalinga Stadium next week with Jackson expressing his satisfaction over his team’s confidence and performance.
“We are extremely pleased with the outcome, especially scoring the four goals. We executed our game plan well in terms of possession and created numerous chances,” said the 46-year-old Jackson.
“However, I felt we could have been more clinical in the first half but we managed to capitalise on opportunities in the second half, which is really pleasing.”
“At half-time, I emphasised to the players the importance of maintaining our approach. When you’re consistently creating opportunities, it’s crucial to remain composed and patient. We just needed a bit more clinical finishing.
“We have a healthy competition within the team, with players capable of making an impact coming off the bench. This competition for places is exactly what we want. Our focus now shifts to the domestic league and facing Macarthur.”
Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera refused to concede that his side’s hopes are dashed, saying his team has the experience to overturn the four-goal deficit.
“I think the Mariners were much better than us; they played well and have a strong team. The key moments affected us, and we conceded a lot of chances. When you’re fighting against a strong team, conceding three goals in the second half changed a lot for us. They had more chances.”
“But we have to keep going and we believe it’s not over till the end. We experienced a similar situation in the group stage against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, losing 4-0 and then came back to beat them 5-2 in the away game.
“In football and in life, you have to believe till the end. We still have a game in this tie, and let’s see what happens in India.”
In the end a big 4-0 loss for #OdishaFC at the #CentralCoastMariners in the #AFCCup. #IndianFootball
— Arunava Chaudhuri | arunfoot (@Arunfoot) March 7, 2024
