It will
truly be a sense of déjà vu for the fans of FC Goa and the home team as they take on one of the
league’s strongest competitions in Chennaiyin FC. The first time around was
actually the first game of this season, where a revamped FC Goa played under a
new coach, and while their blistering attack left everyone in the stadium
spellbound, their defence in that opening game left a lot to be desired. While
FC Goa emerged victorious, winning the match with a 3-2 score line, the rest of
the season for them has been a tale of defence letting the attack down on
consecutive occasions.
While this trend continued months into the league, the team now
finds itself in a precarious position against the backdrop of some poor results
lately and faces the risk of not qualifying for the playoffs that will separate
the best from the average teams in the league so far.
All
eyes will be on the home side on Thursday, and failure to win could spell doom
for the team’s prospects of winning the league while a win could give the team
a much needed boost as it hopes to enter the final stages of the tournament as
a potential challenger to the title.
Goa fans share their views on the team’s performances and its chances at qualifying for the playoffs and even winning the trophy:
We
started off on a high. They lost their way, midway through the league and then
picked themselves up again. It’s been a topsy- turvy ride this season. With
Brandon’s injury, there was no one to connect that midfield to bring out the
attacking prowess of Ferran Corominas. We still have games in hand, I’m sure
will make it past the finish line. The gaffer needs to have a much more solid
Plan B and not wait too long in the game to implement it. The fans have been
backing the team home and away. The team ought to reward them with a semi final
spot.
CONRAD BARRETO
This FC Goa side is playing well and Goa is definitely one of
the teams that have a good chance of winning it. The team has just been off
their pace lately. Goals can win you matches but defence can win you titles.
The problem is not scoring goals but keeping a clean sheet. The defence has
been a problem for Goa throughout the campaign. If they sort the defence out,
Goa will be the team to beat.
SHANE PAES
FC Goa’s chances of going forward
depend on their winning every game from here on. Right now, it’s the defensive
errors that are costing the team. And we’ve had defensive issues from the
start; it is not something that has come up all of a sudden. Let’s hope for the
best. They have to give it their everything! We fans aren’t giving up that
easily.
BOSCO FERNANDES
Three of our remaining five games are
at home, and we should take maximum advantage of that if we want to qualify.
Our attack has been very good this season, but the defence has been the
problem. We will make it into the top 4 at the end. I am pretty confident about
that as well as the team’s prospects of going forward this season.
ELROY FIGUEIREDO
We started off on an attacking mode
and caught everyone by surprise. But by now, teams have read our strengths,
which include our ability to attack well. It has proved to be one of the best
in the league, while our defending has proved to be one of our biggest weaknesses. But we have what it takes to go all the way if we work hard.
#VamosGoa #ForcaGoa
OMKAR H
