FATORDA
FC Goa's head coach, Manolo Marquez, spoke candidly about the challenges his team is facing due to the condition of the Fatorda ground and recent player injuries. His comments came after a tough match where FC Goa experienced a setback with an injury to one of their key players.
Mohammad Yasir, a midfielder and winger for FC Goa, was injured during the warmup session on Tuesday evening, just before the match. Yasir's injury forced the team to make a last-minute change, with Brison Fernandes stepping in to replace him in the starting lineup.
Marquez expressed his frustration over Yasir's injury and the impact of the pitch conditions on his team. "We lost Yasir, and I think it's going to be a long-term issue," Marquez said. "It’s clear that playing on this pitch is very challenging, especially given the heavy rain. The pitch is good, but the weather is making it difficult for us."
The head coach also highlighted his concerns about the frequency of games on the same pitch. "We’re playing too many matches on this pitch in a short period, and it’s taking a toll on the ground," Marquez noted. "It’s not just about FC Goa; all teams are facing similar issues. We need to consider the impact on the pitch when scheduling so many games."
Marquez praised Boris, who stepped up impressively during the last quarter of the match, filling in as both a right back and a right winger. "Boris played a very good game. He’s a Manipuri player with a lot of character, and despite his size, he’s very brave," Marquez said. "Every coach wants a player like Boris in their squad. He was crucial for us last season, and he will be again this season."
When asked about possible solutions to the pitch problem, Marquez suggested that playing on different grounds could alleviate the strain on the Fatorda pitch. "In Goa, there are several options for playing grounds," he mentioned. "It would have been better if we could have rotated between different pitches, especially when the weather is unpredictable."
Marquez acknowledged the challenges but stressed that football is inherently a sport with contact and injuries are part of the game. "It’s easy to talk about these issues now, especially after losing a player," he said. "Other teams will face similar problems. We need to do the best we can, adapt to the conditions, and focus on playing well despite the challenges."
The coach concluded by emphasizing the need for better planning and pitch management to prevent further issues. "Playing 15 games on the same pitch in just 12 days will inevitably cause damage," Marquez added. "We need to address this to ensure the quality of the game and the safety of the players."
