It is
almost impossible that when FC Foa is playing, and that too in the finals of the Indian Super league,
there can be anything bigger than that in Goa. Unfortunately, Goa lost its
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar around the same time on Sunday that the finals
commenced and his death overshadowed what happened in the finals in Mumbai.
Gans are now coming to terms with this pain too
When Rahul Bheke of Bangalore scored late into extra time, he
broke the hearts of tens of thousands of Goans here, those in the stadium and
yes even those living around the world. This was the second time Goa was being
defeated by goals scored very late in extra time. When FC Goa qualified for the
finals by the virtue of 5-2 win over Mumbai, there was sheer happiness in Goa
as many felt this was an opportunity for the team to right the wrong.
To encourage the team, hordes of fans travelled by bus, flight,
road to be present in Mumbai for the finals. According to Conrad Barretto who
travelled from Goa with several others there were approximately 3000-4000 fans
from Goa, around a thousand from Bengaluru in a stadium that seated 7500.
Conrad said the support for the team from its supporters was noisy and
wholehearted but it was a case of sheer bad luck. He said “It was a crazy goal.
We played well but we did not create chances. We have more possession but we
could not do much with it. I have hope for the next season. If this tournament
was conducted on a league format, we would have won on goal difference”. He along
with friends watched the prize distribution ceremony and left the same night
for Goa.
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For Skitter Faia who has followed the progress of the team
closely for a couple of seasons it has been rather tough. She said It was
heartbreak for sure to know that the team was not able to lift the trophy this
year despite a great run through the season. However, I choose not to grieve
over the loss but instead to celebrate the achievement of team FC Goa who made
it to the finals and all the people behind the scene who worked diligently
through the season. The club has a phenomenal coach leading the boys on the
field and we appreciate every effort made by the team. FC Goa has captured the
imagination of the people of Goa. Three cheers to the team. We look forward to another
fantastic season”.
For Akio Fernandes, it was a night of disappointment. According
to him, the team played quite well but in the larger picture, it was ok because
they lost to a goal scored in the 117th minute. The injury to Mandar and the
red card did not help matters, he felt. It was just not meant to be. He however
expressed his confidence of a better performance next year and with some smart
selection they would be able to go the whole hog. He said “Please remember
Bengaluru went to the AFC, I league and they had a better all-round team. Our
time will come”.
The big ask is when. The heart wrenching loss to Chennai, in
fortress Fatorda in the second edition in 2015, the 8th place finish in 2017, a
semi-final outing in 2017 and then a final place in 2018-19. It’s a sign of a
very good team with missed opportunities
Niyaz is a part of the club fan club and who was present at the
finalssaid it was an amazing experience being present at the stadium. With
Mandar (Desai) out the balance of the team was not right. I have to concede the
goal was very good. Our goalkeeper and the defence were very good right through
the match but goals like that happen”. Speaking about the next season, he felt
it would all come down to the balance in the squad.
Like any sport, it is always about the enthusiasm shown by the
very young towards the team that enthuses the squad. Kian all of 10 has been
following FC Goa with great enthusiasm. He managed to watch all the games on TV
and watched the finals too with his family on television at home. He said it
was heart-breaking to lose considering the team had played so well. The goal he
felt was a fluke because Rahul never ever scored.
Next season, he hoped to be in the stadium urging the team
forward and this he hoped would be helped by free tickets. Good players would
certainly help too.
The hopes of an average Goemkar looking for glory through
football still lives on and he lives to fight another day.
For
the sake of little Kian Manuel and his friends and thousands of parents living
their own dreams as those of their children, the curse of extra time goal in
the finals has to be over.
