PANAJI
Few days ahead of their pre-season trip to Spain where they are slated to play friendlies in their preparations for ISL 4, a new-look FC Goa under their new head coach Sergio Lobera Rodriguez appeared a determined bunch to change their fortunes for the better.
A mixture of Spanish players, a Portuguese returnee and a Moroccan, blended with the best of Goan and Indian emerging talent and proven domestic performers, the Gaurs promise to serve up a delectable palate with performance and passion when the new ISL season is upon us starting in November.
That said, the eagerness and thrill in their first training session at Chowgule College, Margao on Monday was evident as the domestic stars looked to seamlessly integrate themselves with their foreign mates. A fun-filled two-hour session nonetheless, it came with every ounce of seriousness, determination and application to deliver on a promise to erase a haunting memory of finishing at the bottom of a then eight-team pile last season.
First-choice custodian Laxmikant Kattimani and speedy winger Mandar Rao Desai have been a fulcrum of the Gaurs' unit since its inception and look to revive its lost pride. Joining them will be FC Goa returnees, Pronay Halder and Portuguese Bruno Pinheiro to lend solidity to central defence and midfield. The new coach has on his part carefully selected foreign players who he has fruitfully worked with earlier while his assistant coach Derrick Pereira has made a fair selection of bringing the best in Goan and Indian recruits to the Gaurs stable.
Speaking to the media post training, FC Goa gaffer Lobera stated that he was very happy with the first day of training. "The attitude of the players has been very professional and they are ambitious. In the coming days, their skills will be further worked on and they will gradually improve. It is important though that our pre-season in Spain should help the side to be on level with the opposition teams when the tournament starts," the former FC Barcelona assistant manager said.
Pinheiro, a versatile player who can switch from central defence to defensive midfield was more than happy to be back in the State. "It is good be back here. I always wanted to come back. I wanted to return to win the ISL for the Goan fans who really deserve the trophy," the affable Portuguese footballer said.
From plying his trade under the stead of Zico in the first season at FC Goa to having his first taste with Spanish Lobera at helm this season, what were his thoughts on the difference in the style of the two managers was the next question this writer put forth. "Every coach has his own ideas. Zico was an amazing player who passed on his experience to his players. It was a fantastic experience to be managed under Zico. On the other hand, Sergio is from a different school. He is from Barcelona which is famous. Everyone loves the way Barcelona plays. We will help him (Lobera) to put his ideas to field," the former Portuguese junior international affirmed.
Mandar Rao Desai, the Goan left wing operator, remarked that his objective this season is to score more goals and reach the semis first. Answering a question put forth by ‘The Goan', he stated that working with the new coach on initial impression was different from Zico but similar to his experience in Spain last year. "I trained at Villareal for two weeks last year. And the style imparted by the new Spanish coach is similar to the one at the La Liga club when it comes to passing philosophy," he explained.
