Alberg speaks about his first ISL goal, the challenge against FC Goa and more…

Hyderabad FC showed great character against ATK Mohun Bagan, in an exciting outing in Vasco on Monday. A controversial goal from Pritam Kotal cancelled out Roland Alberg’s stunning volley from the edge of the box as the teams shared a point from this tie.

Alberg, who only joined Hyderabad in January, came off the bench in the 73^rd minute, and just a minute later, he was at the end of a flick-on from Aridane Santana and found the bottom right corner with an instinctive finish, that gave Hyderabad FC a lead, with less than 20 minutes to play.

But Kotal’s 92’ minute goal denied a monumental victory for Hyderabad, who played over 85 minutes of the game with just 10 men. “It was a really difficult game for us. We practically played the whole game with ten men but we put in a really strong performance on the night,” said Alberg, speaking after the game.

“We showed our character as a team and I think we deserved to win the game,’ he added.

Alberg has played in various roles in the side under Manolo Marquez so far this season and the versatile attack is happy to perform anywhere he is asked to.

“I may be an attacking midfielder but I am ready to play wherever the coach wants me to. It doesn’t really matter if I am playing as a winger, as a striker or as a number 10. I am just happy to get some minutes under my belt,” Alberg added.

The Suriname-born striker now has a goal and an assist for Hyderabad and will have to play a crucial role in their last game against FC Goa. Hyderabad now need a win to qualify for the play-offs but Alberg seems confident of his side’s chances in that game.

“We were not really thinking about that game when playing ATKMB. We took our chances in this game and that is what we will have to do against Goa as well. We need to put in a similar performance and we are ready to go again,” said Alberg, speaking about the virtual knockout tie against Juan Ferrando’s side in the final league game.

Hyderabad take on FC Goa in Fatorda on Sunday, the 28^th of January.