Hull City head coach Ruben Selles admits his side needs to be ‘brilliant’
Hull City’s FA Cup woes continued on Sunday afternoon as they were knocked out of the competition by Doncaster Rovers, losing 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The Tigers’ disappointing performance in the third-round clash was marked by crucial mistakes from two key players, Abu Kamara and Ryan Giles, which ultimately cost them the match.
Head coach Ruben Selles expressed his frustration following the defeat, acknowledging that his team was not up to the required standard. “We need to be brilliant in these kinds of games, and we weren’t,” Selles said. “We had opportunities to put the game to bed and we didn’t take them. Mistakes from key players, like Abu and Ryan, were costly, but we need to take responsibility as a team.”
Hull City’s struggles were evident throughout the match. Despite dominating possession and creating some chances, they lacked the clinical edge needed to break down Doncaster’s defense. City rallied and scored a well-made equalise when Mason Burstow’s shot hit the post but fell kindly to Gustavo Puerta to turn in the equaliser from close range to take the game into extra-time, and Harry Clifton’s kick won it after Mason Burstow and Alfie Jones failed to score.
Kamara and Giles were both involved in the key errors that led to the draw. Kamara, who had shown promise earlier in the season, failed to clear a dangerous ball in his own half, allowing Doncaster’s attackers to capitalize and force the equalizer. Giles, on the other hand, struggled to maintain defensive discipline, allowing his marker too much space in crucial moments. Both players, as well as the rest of the squad, will need to reflect on their individual and collective performances to avoid further setbacks in the future.
In the penalty shootout, Hull City’s problems were compounded as they missed crucial spot-kicks, with goalkeeper Harvey Cartwright unable to keep out any of Doncaster’s successful attempts. The result means Hull’s FA Cup campaign is over for another year, leaving them to focus solely on their league commitments.
Selles has now vowed to use the defeat as motivation to ensure his team performs at a higher level moving forward. “We have to learn from these mistakes, and that means being better in every aspect of our game,” he said. “It’s frustrating, but we have a chance to bounce back and show we’re capable of more.”
Hull City will hope to put this disappointment behind them as they look ahead to their next league match.
