PANAJI
Facing an in-form Bengaluru FC that boasts some of the biggest names in Indian football may be a tough task, but the young FC Goa squad looking to tame the tides in the Durand Cup is definitely up to meeting the challenge. While their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage took a major hit following Friday’s loss to Jamshedpur FC, Deggie Cardozo’s boys will look to keep their hopes alive with a win against the Blues.
When FC Goa took on Mohammedan SC in their campaign opener on August 16, the I-League outfit, who had experience on their side, got the better of the Boys in Orange.
Against Jamshedpur FC, the youngsters put up a brave fight till the end but fell short owing to a late goal. And now they find themselves with three points from as many matches.
Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, has won both the matches that they played so far. They began their run in the Durand Cup with a close victory over the Men of Steel, before trouncing the Air Force by four goals to none. It is not surprising, given Simon Grayson chose a full-strength squad to represent the club in the tournament. Overall, they have six points from two matches.
“Coming to this tournament as the defending champions, taking the trophies back home has indeed been our top objective all along. We may have lost our way a bit, but it’s not because we played poorly,” FC Goa head coach Deggie Cardozo said.
“Across all the three games that we played, there were several phases where we dominated our opponents. Our midfield play has been fine, and this experience will serve the youngsters well in the days to come. Being a young squad, my players lacked experience at the topmost levels of Indian football and also in terms of physicality when compared to the senior players of our opponents - yet they never made that an excuse to give up."
“I’m proud of my boys for the way in which they fought so far. And the fight is not over, because we are facing Bengaluru FC. We want to play a good game, and that’s what we are focusing on,” Cardozo added.
“Bengaluru FC may be a strong team, but we faced similar sides prior to this. We’re confident of doing well,” he concluded.
The clash between FC Goa and Bengaluru FC will be held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday.
When FC Goa took on Mohammedan SC in their campaign opener on August 16, the I-League outfit, who had experience on their side, got the better of the Boys in Orange.
Against Jamshedpur FC, the youngsters put up a brave fight till the end but fell short owing to a late goal. And now they find themselves with three points from as many matches.
Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, has won both the matches that they played so far. They began their run in the Durand Cup with a close victory over the Men of Steel, before trouncing the Air Force by four goals to none. It is not surprising, given Simon Grayson chose a full-strength squad to represent the club in the tournament. Overall, they have six points from two matches.
“Coming to this tournament as the defending champions, taking the trophies back home has indeed been our top objective all along. We may have lost our way a bit, but it’s not because we played poorly,” FC Goa head coach Deggie Cardozo said.
“Across all the three games that we played, there were several phases where we dominated our opponents. Our midfield play has been fine, and this experience will serve the youngsters well in the days to come. Being a young squad, my players lacked experience at the topmost levels of Indian football and also in terms of physicality when compared to the senior players of our opponents - yet they never made that an excuse to give up."
“I’m proud of my boys for the way in which they fought so far. And the fight is not over, because we are facing Bengaluru FC. We want to play a good game, and that’s what we are focusing on,” Cardozo added.
“Bengaluru FC may be a strong team, but we faced similar sides prior to this. We’re confident of doing well,” he concluded.
The clash between FC Goa and Bengaluru FC will be held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday.
