Madgaon, Apr 7 (Reporter) FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez expressed his heartbreak after his side’s dramatic exit from the semi-finals of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, following a 3-2 aggregate loss to Bengaluru FC on Sunday. Trailing by two goals from the first leg, the Gaurs came out with intensity and attacking intent. They dominated the early proceedings, but Bengaluru FC held firm, keeping the hosts at bay as the first half ended goalless. The breakthrough finally came in the 49th minute when Borja Herrera smashed in a stunning free-kick to ignite hope at Fatorda. Substitute Armando Sadiku then made it 2-0 on the night in the 88th minute, bringing the aggregate score level and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. However, the tide turned dramatically in the dying moments of the match. An unfortunate mistake from FC Goa’s backline during a corner-kick situation allowed Bengaluru FC's Sunil Chhetri to seize the opportunity with a diving header, sending Bengaluru FC to the ISL Cup final for a record fourth time. Head coach Manolo Marquez expressed profound pride in his squad despite the disappointing outcome. He lauded their performance, praised their character, and reminded everyone of the unpredictable nature of football. "Very tough, because I think that the team, at least from the bench, it was very tough. We deserve to win this game. We deserve to arrive in the final. We were much better than Bengaluru FC, even when Bengaluru FC were at home. But sometimes this is football and you have to accept it,” Marquez remarked during the post-match press conference. The match began with FC Goa showing tremendous energy and attacking football. Despite their efforts, a defensive mistake in the dying moments allowed Bengaluru FC to capitalize, leaving Goa heartbroken. “I am very satisfied with the performance of the team. The players who started the game, the injury of Carl (McHugh), and then Borja (Herrera) played very well. He scored the goal. Then, Armando (Sadiku), he could only play 20 minutes physically, which is the maximum. Then he entered the pitch and scored also. And then finally, this unfortunate, unlucky action occurred: at a corner, after the clearance, with a possibility of counter-attack, we sent the ball back. These kinds of things, unfortunately happen,” he explained. However, Chhetri’s moment of brilliance left FC Goa in stunned disbelief, just moments before the game was headed for extra time. While Marquez recognized the heartbreak among his players, he also reminded them of football’s unpredictable nature. "In the dressing room, they are completely destroyed. If you enter the dressing room, it's like 'someone is dead'. But, finally, this is a game of mistakes. And finally, without mistakes, all games would finish 0-0. “We made a mistake in the last minute. I think that, in this situation, when you play in the semi-final of the playoffs, it's very difficult to play at the level that the team played today. In some moments, my feeling was that it was closer to the third goal for us than the goal of BFC,” he said. Looking ahead, Marquez urged fans to keep supporting the team, acknowledging their crucial role. He expressed confidence in FC Goa’s bright future and aimed to build on the progress made this season for long-term success. "I want to congratulate the players. I want to congratulate the fans. Today was fantastic. I think if this atmosphere is more usual, then we will achieve more. I think the future of FC Goa is in good hands," Marquez added...////...