While the dust settles on what has clearly been a poor
season for FC Goa in the third season of the ISL, much ado has been made of
where the team will go from here. The squad was buoyant at the end of the
second edition, having narrowly missed out on top honours. However, off the
field antics prompted the bigwigs behind the club to change ownership, and ever
since then, the fans have been divided on the new owners, and how they feel
about it.
Players that made a massive impact last time around, were
also missing from this time’s squad, leading to much displeasure among the fan
following, and a clear lack of cohesion on the pitch. At the end of it all, FC
Goa remains rooted in the bottom part of the table, and for many a fan, it has
been a season to forget.
This is what a few FC Goans had to say on the matter:
It’s been a season to forget. Management dysfunction and an
ownership saga led to missing out on key influential players, which led to poor
tactics and player recruitment. The fans negativity with regard to the new
owners probably impacted the team’s morale. Let’s hope next season we start
operations early, so that the team can have a proper pre-season and the gaffer
can find the right mix of players. Genuine fans will always stand by the club
no matter what. Forca Goa! Dii Tekha!
– Conrad Barretto
This ISL season was quite below expectations, which were
quite high because of performances last time around. I can see fans blaming new
owners for this, but I don’t think it makes much sense. It was rather the
players who let the fans down. Also, we missed some of our players who were a
vital part of our performances last season. Next season we should concentrate on
recruiting good Indian players and back Zico by getting the players he demands.
Let’s all hope we can retain Zico as our coach next season too.
– Anjyot Talauliker
ISL needs to be integrated with the I-League for it to be
more meaningful. This year was a prime example how it’s slowly losing its charm
as the years progress. There should be some kind of system that actually
promotes Indian talent and integration of foreign players’ experience to
improve the Indian football scenario over all. FC Bengaluru has shown that a
little hard work and motivation can take you places, such as the finals of AFC
Cup.
– Leandro de Mello
