Panaji
FC Goa is gearing up to take on Hyderabad FC at the Fatorda Stadium on Friday evening. With 36 points from 19 games, FC Goa aim to strengthen its position in the league standings and contend for the League Winners Shield.
A victory in this upcoming match would see FC Goa reach 39 points from 20 matches, aligning with Odisha FC's current position. The team is eyeing its second league double against Hyderabad FC, having previously defeated them 2-0 in February.
Expressing his concerns ahead of the match, FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez reflected on the team's recent performance and the challenges encountered throughout the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season.
Marquez emphasised the disappointment of conceding seven goals in 45 minutes across two recent games. He acknowledged the fluctuations in football but stressed the need for defensive stability and of not securing victories in recent matches, stating, "It's not normal that our team conceded seven goals in 45 minutes across two games, four against Kerala and three against Punjab."
Acknowledging the ups and downs experienced by all teams in the league, Marquez pointed out recent setbacks faced by top teams like Mohun Bagan as seen in their recent defeat against Chennaiyin FC. He stressed that maintaining a positive start to the season is crucial, but every team encounters challenges along the way.
Reflecting on FC Goa's performance during the season, Marquez highlighted the team's strong start but expressed disappointment over recent results. "When you start a very good season, it's not the same feeling as if it's the opposite," he said, emphasising the importance of consistency throughout the season.
When asked about his perspective on the fight for the ISL trophy versus the League Shield, Marquez expressed his belief in FC Goa's capability to win the League Shield given their strong position. "Yeah, for me, I know that FC Goa never won the play-off, but in fact, to win the shield, I never won the shield. I won the trophy or we won the trophy." He expressed his belief that winning the League Shield would have been achievable for FC Goa given their strong position. However, he acknowledged the unpredictability of football. Manolo also questioned the significance of the playoffs, stating, "For me, one competition where you finish the regular season and there is a slot for Asian competition, the playoff for me doesn't make too much sense." He emphasised that even the ISL champion should be recognised as the winner of the League Shield.
Coach Manolo further confirmed that all the 25 players are available. Regarding changes for the upcoming match, he stated, "We play three consecutive games, so we need to aim for nine points. We have five players with three yellow cards, so some of them may not start. It's possible that some of them will be on the bench, but you never know. We have to think if it's okay or not. Maybe some will play and some will be on the bench."
