FATORDA: The Gaurs will be back in action as they host Jamshedpur FC on Monday in a crucial tie at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, aiming for the semi-final berth, thus eyeing their maiden title.
FC Goa’s top four-clash with fifth place Jamshedpur FC carries equal importance to that of the Sunday clash between Mumbai city FC and Bengaluru FC, wherein the former recorded a slender 1-0 win, as the stakes for the top four stops intensifies in the final quarter of the season.
While Bengaluru FC are clear favourites in this edition given the fact of their impressive run in the league, given their dominance at the top, also not forgetting the resurgence of Mumbai City FC, the unique format of the league still gives even chances to all top four finishers to grab the trophy.
The current standings hint the league could have new winners with — Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, FC Goa and NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC — all in the race. And with no relegations, the only drama of the Indian Super League folds at the top of the table as FC Goa attempts to shrug off a poor run just before the winter break wherein they managed to grab just four points in the last four games.
FC Goa are currently at fourth position and eight points behind joint leaders Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC, and a win on Monday will take them to 23 points four clear off the fifth place.
A concern to meet
But while Goa look more tactically disciplined, organised and more motivated under the Spanish Coach Sergio Lobera, some inconsistencies remain, as shown by the defeat against Jamshedpur FC and Bengaluru FC just before the break.
The winter pause came at the right time for the Gaurs. The Gaurs worked hard during the break, and the shrunken injury list have fostered a fresh sense of optimism a corner can be turned.
Coach Sergio Lobera has every player at his disposal and adding to the list we have our Season four sensation —Naveen Kumar back in the side to cover and guard our defensive woes. This came at the cost of Lalthuamawia Ralte, who has been sent to Kerala Blasters as part of the exchange loan deal.
Sticking to philosophy of attacking football
Ruthless in his pursuit of a silverware, Sergio Lobera has demanded the players to make a statement against the challengers. However, Coach Lobera stunned the fans with a signing of another attacking midfielder —Moroccan Zaid Krouch instead of a quality defender in the ever leaking back line. The signing is a pure sign of Coach Lobera’s adherence to his philosophy of attacking football. Surely for a side which has conceded most goals among the top six teams, has to make it up with their attack as the saying goes true —attack is the best form of defence! FC Goa might have conceded most goals, but they have scored maximum too, making them best attacking side in the league.
Over reliance on Coro
FC Goa’s attacking football is their strength but their over reliance on Ferran Corominas has also been their weakness. This has raised eyebrows as even the opponents have studied the FC Goa’s style of football. FC Goa have failed to score in the absence of Ferran Coro and even his replacement —Miguel Palanca failed to deliver the Gaurs during crisis.
The acquisition of Zaid Krouch —who earlier played with Hugo and Ahmed and also worked under Coach Lobera in Morocco at Mohgreb Tetouan shall be Sergio’s ideal choice to add on to Gaurs’ attacking prowess as the Moroccan youngster already impressed the fans with his skills and goal scoring abilities during a friendly against Vasco SC recently. But ISL competition is at another level, however, for a player who feels ‘football is same everywhere and nothing is impossible’ it shall not be difficult to deliver as he has already began his life breathing and living the attacking football philosophy under coach Sergio Lobera.
A special moment
Today, the rejuvenated Gaurs will surely look to avenge the 1-4 defeat against the Men of Steel in the first leg, which happened to be their heaviest defeat in the league so far under coach Lobera. The clash will also prove to be an emotional outing for another Goan —Augustin Fernandes who will play in front of the home crowd for the first team over a year, but wearing the opposition colours as the former Salgaocar FC and ATK defender has been signed by Jamshedpur FC. The defender was out without a club since ATK released him in January 2018.
