As FC Goa resume their ISL journey with an away game against bottom-placed Hyderabad FC on February 1 after a month long break for AFC Asian Cup, all eyes will be on Manolo Marquez’s side to keep their good form in the ISL going.
It has been a dream start for FC Goa so far in this edition of ISL. The Gaurs are the only side who has remained unbeaten in the ISL and are currently placed in the second position with 24 points (7 wins and 3 draws) from 10 games. Kerala Blasters are at the top with 26 points but have played two more games.
Odisha FC, coached by former FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera, is also tied on 24 points but has also played two additional games. Infact, Odisha had knocked Goa out of the recently held Super Cup at Bhubaneswar.
In the first leg, the Gaurs had beaten Odisha FC 3-2 at Fatorda. But, since then Lobera’s side had a great run and have remain unbeaten in their last eight matches. Odisha also made it to the final of the Super Cup before losing out to East Bengal. FC Goa next face them in an away game on 9 February at Bhubaneswar.
It’s mid-way in the season. FC Goa still has to play 12 more games (6 – home and 6 – away) before the group stage ends in April. If the Gaurs have to win their maiden ISL title, then they will have to display remarkable consistency in their performance in the remaining matches as shown in the first leg of this ISL season.
Eight different players have scored goals for FC Goa so far and this is a positive sign. As usual, it’s the foreign players who have done bulk of the goal scoring with Noah Wail leading the pack with four goals to his credit followed by Carlos Martínez and Victor Rodríguez who have netted the ball three times each inside the goalpost.
Supporting its attack, it’s the defence of FC Goa which has been very strong this time around with the team conceding just five goals from 10 matches, the best by any side in this edition of ISL.
Injuries to players
But, injuries to its players will be a major concern for the Gaurs. FC Goa have recently been hit by the injury-ridden absence of their star Spanish midfielder Victor Rodriguez, who with three goals and assists each, had an impactful run in its campaign so far.
Rodríguez suffered a right leg injury during an ISL match against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in late December. His departure will be a concern for the side. As a capable replacement for the influential player, Borja Herrera is set to join FC Goa on loan from East Bengal. Herrera, a former Hyderabad FC player who played under their current head coach, Manolo Márquez, in the ISL 2022-23 season. Herrera is known for his skills as a central midfielder and his prowess in an attacking role.
East Bengal, the reigning Super Cup champions, has agreed to a short-term loan move for the Spanish midfielder.
FC Goa’s schedule for remaining ISL Matches
1 February, 2024: FC Goa vs Hyderabad FC, GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad – 7:30 PM
9 February, 2024: FC Goa vs Odisha FC, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar – 7:30 PM
14 February, 2024: FC Goa vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao – 7:30 PM
21 February, 2024: FC Goa vs North East United FC, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao – 7:30 PM
25 February, 2024: FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi – 7:30 PM
28 February, 2024: FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC, Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai – 7:30 PM
06 March, 2024: FC Goa vs East Bengal FC, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao – 7:30 PM
11 March, 2024: FC Goa vs Punjab FC, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi – 7:30 PM
14 March, 2024: FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao – 7:30 PM
5 April, 2024: FC Goa vs Hyderabad FC, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao – 7:30 PM
9 April, 2024: FC Goa vs Jamshedpur FC, JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur – 5:00 PM
14 April, 2024: FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao – 7:30 PM
