History is replete with rivalries between teams in sport which are triggered by religion, political ideologies, geography or just the simple case of being the other in the same town. Such clashes are emotional and memories are long on both sides. The ISL could have a rivalry that could be on par with the some of the more celebrated rivalries around the world. Or will it?
Sergio Lobera was the much respected coach of FC Goa who left under circumstances that lead to a lot of questions being raised. It disturbed the flow of the team and their 5–6 defeat on aggregate to Chennai in FC in the playoffs ended their chance of winning the elusive ISL trophy. This year he returns as the top cat of the Mumbai City FC. In addition he has signed players from FC Goa like Jahouh, Boumous, Fall and Mandar Dessai.
Kunal Kunolienkar a student and a passionate fan of FC Goa admitted the move of the former coach to Mumbai was a big blow and the fact that he had hired key players like Mandar was significant. He however felt the management did well and pulled things back with even better signings. He said “There won’t be any special welcome for him or the team; they will just another opponent for us. Yes, Lobera does hold a special place in the heart of Goans with what he bought to the club and his style of play. But what really matters is the club. Players and coaches come and go but you need to back the club no matter what! This rivalry for me will be as big as the Atk Mohan Bagan- East Bengal one and I’m eagerly waiting for November 25th”.
Maria D Cunha however felt the biggest rival for FC Goa was Bengaluru FC. He said “Mumbai city FC will be same as it has been over the years. Yes they have Sergio and company but with Juan at helm for FC Goa, he will take it as just another match”.
Meblish Fernandes an electrical engineer felt players and coaches usually come and go. He said “We have had many Goan players playing in other teams before. This time however we have key players and a former coach in Mumbai City FC. We will welcome them and consider them a worthy opposition. We can’t hype it up as a major rivalry despite Mumabi city FC looking great on paper. They will be treated and respected like any other side”
Abhishek Sawant preferred to be blasé saying they were still the same opponents against whom FC Goa had scored 7 goals. He said “I don’t understand why there is such a buzz. Coaches and players come and go and it is to our advantage that we know the playing style of this coach and the players. Why should we give them a special welcome? If given a chance we would have chanted our classy FC Goa chants which would have de-motivated them at the onset. I think they are lucky to play in front of empty stands as they are used to it”. Ouch.
Upesh Morajkar who works on a cruise line but is now based on land due to the virus, felt the matches between FC Goa and Mumbai City FC would be great fun. He however felt with captain Edu Bedia and Coach Juan; they would be able to lead the team to a famous victory.
Keegan Fernandes a college student was of the opinion that players and coaches always moved around. He said “These movements are part and parcel; we had players like Robert Pires, Coro, Hugo who did well with us and moved on. Now we have players who starred with us and now moved to a new club with the former coach. Yes, we will have a rivalry with that team but it will not match our rivalry with Chennain FC. Yes there will be that fire burning inside watching our former player playing against us but the passionate fans remain the same. It is great Goa has been selected to host the ISL and we will all teams equally. We have a great squad and I am hoping for the best this season.”
The passion for the game will override any talk of a rivalry as the average Goan is aware that movements to and from a team are part of life
