PANAJI
With just few days remaining, the excitement is building up among football fans as the Fatorda Stadium gets ready to host the high-profile match between FC Goa and Saudi giants Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Two on October 22. The fixture is already historic and the anticipation has grown even further with the possibility of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo making a trip to Goa. But, final confirmation on Ronaldo’s Goa visit is still awaited.
Although the Portuguese superstar has not featured in Al Nassr’s first two group-stage games, fans across the country are dreaming of seeing him step onto Indian soil for the first time in his career.
The state authorities are not taking any chances. Goa police have assured the club that all security arrangements will be in place, regardless of whether confirmation about Ronaldo’s arrival comes at the last minute.
In fact, two officials from Al-Nassr were in Goa on a two-day trip on Thursday and Friday to check the state’s facilities, ahead of the all-important clash next Wednesday.
“Our team is looking forward to play against Cristiano Ronaldo if he comes to Goa. Not just Ronaldo, but other star players in their side - Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, Inigo Martinez, Marcelo Brozovic,” FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez told The Goan.
“Our boys are motivated enough to play this kind of game. The crowd, the fans, I feel whole of India would like to be in our situation of playing against Al-Nassr. We are facing the game with big motivation, training hard every day. We are very much focused on the game,” Manolo stated.
Currently, FC Goa is lying at bottom of Group D after two defeats against Al Zawraa and Istiklol. The Gaurs have conceded four goals and failed to score any. Al Nassr lead the group with two wins, while Istiklol and Al Zawraa are on three points each.
“The target for us was to win the preliminary round. We beat a very difficult team Al-Saeeb from Oman. They are a good side because they are playing together for a lot of years. They are a top team. They were champions in AFC Champions League Two in 2022. Now, people want us to win against these very big teams we are facing - Al-Nassr, Al-Zawraa and Istiklol. But, it is not easy to beat them. You need some experience, you need to be clinical in the game, you need to be lucky. But, the important thing is that you need to qualify in this kind of competition every season and get a chance to play such kind of games against top teams., “ Manolo said.
Despite the odds, fans remain hopeful of an upset. For FC Goa, this is a must-win game to keep their knockout hopes alive. Anything less than a point could shut the door on their ACL2 campaign.
“Despite our loss in the first two games, we are competing and will play a very good game against Al-Nassr at home. But the reality is that most of the Indian clubs would like to be in our situation of playing in the AFC Champions League Two, “ Manolo said.
With Mohun Bagan withdrawing, FC Goa remain India’s only representative in the AFC Champions League Two.
