The electrifying atmosphere at Fatorda stadium was palpable as FC Goa hosted Chennaiyin FC in
what promised to be a cracker of a game on Thursday. Given that both the teams
were vying for a playoff spot, the crowd at the home ground of FC Goa, for all
obvious reasons, turned up in huge numbers to support the home team. However,
after an initial run of missed chances, Chennaiyin gained advantage by creating
a flurry of opportunities and managed to score a lucky goal. The Gaurs tried
their best but failed to find the crucial equaliser, thereby going down 1-0
against the visitors.
Much before the match, we at Herald had run an opinion poll in a
bid to find out if it will be the end of the road for FC Goa in case they draw
or lose to Chennaiyin FC. The poll received a number of votes with 66% of the
people saying yes, while 34% of the people who voted still seemed to have faith
in the home team’s resurgence in the 2018 edition of Indian Super League (ISL).
Also, a few people made a different kind of prediction. Brendan Sousa, on the
Facebook page, The Football Dugout, had posted: “At least one thing’s for
certain. If Goa doesn’t win tonight, there’ll be loads of people claiming the
game was rigged.”
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After the match, FC Goa’s official Facebook page was abuzz with
footie fans posting their take on the match. Wesley Fernandes had posted:
“Sergio Lobera’s side fails yet again to win a match on a home ground. Players
like Sifneos and Bumo (Bruno) should be given a chance to play for full 90
minutes rather than making them play only for last few minutes. Hope this
disappointment will end soon and Fc Goa side will capitalise from their
mistakes. FORCA GOA (sic).” Another football fan, Shubham Deogadkar had a more
positive approach. He posted: “I personally think Goa played really well in
last 25 mins. The transition from defence to attack was really fast in last 25
mins. If you watch the games which Goa (has) won dominantly, the main
difference was the number of touches Goa took from defence to goal (sic).”
Overall, social media seemed to be divided equally between fans having lost
hope in FC Goa, and those who still believe that their home team will rise from
the ashes to make a comeback.
It
may be interesting to note that FC Goa has four more games to go and they all
are as crucial to the team as finals. After the match, FC Goa coach Sergio
Lobera summed it up: “This obviously is the last chance for us and we cannot
make any mistakes henceforth. The next four games are like four finals for us.”
