the goan I network
PANAJI
FC Goa president Akshay Tandon and head coach Sergio Lobera have condemned the change in Hero Indian Super League fixtures that will force the Gaurs into a sudden mid-season cramming of matches.
FC Goa are now scheduled to play their next match against ATK on January 3, 2018. This will be followed by a trip to Guwahati to play NorthEast United FC on January 6. The Gaurs will then return home to take on Jamshedpur FC on January 11, thereby completing a tiresome set of three fixtures in nine days.
The club has expressed their displeasure at having to play these games within close proximity of each other and lamented on the lack of support from various parties to ensure that the game went ahead as planned on December 31, 2017. In a press communique, FC Goa President, Akshay Tandon said: "As a club, we are disappointed in the last minute change of fixtures. A lot of work goes into the planning of our season behind the scenes and we try and ensure we give the team the best possible options so they can play every match at optimal levels. Last minute changes in plans are always something that are detrimental to the team's cause and this is the case here. As it stands, we will have to play the game on the 3rd of January and there isn't much we can do about it."
Head Coach, Sergio Lobera, also addressed the issue saying, "I don't find it just that the calendar changes with such a short notice period. We had a plan in place sporting-wise and logistically as well, with regard to the flights and stay. Changes like this can hurt the final standings of the league table. We are playing 5 games in 2 and a half weeks towards the end of the season and this is acceptable as the schedule came out like that but with this change, we will face the same situation twice in a season and I don't find this just for us. I find it surprising that they take decisions like this unilaterally without prior consultation with the teams. On our part, we proposed three options as well and we are disappointed that none of them were considered. This sort of change doesn't help the spectacle, nor the players or the league as it disturbs the planning of the club's season."
FC Goa captain Laxmikant Kattimani echoed the sentiments of the team by saying: "We were made aware of the change in schedule just before the game against FC Pune City. We were told there were some discussions to try and change the schedule back to what it was, but nothing came of it. As a player, it is very difficult to deal with this as we have to get on to the pitch three times in quick succession. Additionally, we will be doing this one more time in the season towards the end of the league stage. Players need time to recover between matches and the extension in the duration of the league this year allowed us that extra bit of rest. However, now we have an extremely taxing situation ahead of us and we will have to manage our bodies well and ensure we don't pick up any injuries, going into this heavy set
of fixtures."
