PANAJI
FC Goa will lock horns with Jamshedpur FC in their first Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 clash with the Gaurs aiming to extend their dominance over the Red Miners on Tuesday, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, at 7:30 PM IST.
FC Goa ended the previous season in third position and missed out on a top-place finish by just three points. Under Manolo Marquez, the Gaurs will be determined to start their season with a win, like they have done on five occasions in the past.
Coach Manolo Marquez is fully focused on FC Goa's game against Jamshedpur FC, despite managing both the club and the Indian national team. Marquez acknowledged the challenge of juggling both roles but expressed confidence in his ability to handle the demands. "My attention right now is on the game tomorrow," he said. "We have another match in Kolkata in four days, so I’m concentrating on the present game."
Marquez stressed the importance of focusing on one game at a time, reflecting on past successes after early defeats. He praised Jamshedpur FC’s coach Khalid Jamil for transforming the team and acknowledged the strength of their squad with key players like Javi Hernandez and Stephen Eze.
Regarding player availability, Marquez mentioned that Seriton Fernandes is not yet fully fit but will be on the bench if needed. Sandesh Jhingan will miss the next four games due to injury. Marquez also noted the unpredictability of the ISL season, with injuries and pitch conditions affecting team performances. Despite these challenges, he remains hopeful that FC Goa will perform well in their upcoming match.
