As October came to an end, Goan fans of the ISL looked more beleaguered and dejected than anyone could have hoped for. Their team sat at the bottom of the table, not having won a single game, with seemingly no hope of budging from that spot. This was the very same team that boasted names such as Andre Santos and Robert Pires. This was the team that people expected great things from. However, refusing to give up on the local lads, the fans rallied behind their troops and with renewed spirit in the squad, FC Goa mounted a challenge to qualify for the semi-finals. Of these fans, one very active group has been The Football Dug Out. From online activity on social media to organising mass attendances at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, the group has done all within their means to ‘get behind’ their squad. Founder member of the group, Conrad Barretto says “It’s been brilliant! Ever since the sacking of Papas, the finding of Amiri’s best position in defensive midfield and benching Robert Pires, Zico has finally found his winning formation. The fans deserve a special mention for their involvement in the three back to back wins to be honest. They have played a massive part in creating a hostile atmosphere for the away team. Not one team has dominated us in the last three games unlike in the reverse fixtures.” Some fans are so moved by the club’s resurgence, that they have attributed it to possible divine intervention,
with Shanelle Shiona Queency, a fan of the club posting on social media, saying “Since St Francis Xavier’s exposition started, FC Goa hasn’t lost a match and they
are mostly scoring ‘three’ goals which is the date of the feast.” With only one game left in the league format, we speak to various fans and look at what the change in fortunes of their local team means to them:
