It must be said that FC Goa commenced their campaign in the fourth edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) with a bang but now as the league is approaching the knock-out stage, it has become little more than a whimper. Goan footballer lovers were seen making it to the Fatorda stadium in droves whenever FC Goa featured in the home match. They would support the team till their voice went hoarse. But many a time the final result of the match left the fans disappointed. From occupying the first and the second places in the points table, the team has now slipped to the seventh position with its chances of making it to the play-off stage appearing dim. This position has been summed up by the FC Goa coach Sergio Lobero when he said that each of the four remaining matches will be like the finals for the team. Indeed much was expected from the team which plays attacking brand of football. But the team has probably taken the saying “offence is the best defence” a bit too far. This was evident from the fact that every time the forwards scored, the goal was neutralised by the opposing team in quick time. This was the story of the game which was repeated far many times for comfort.
Fans were quick to jump to the conclusion that the defence of the team was its undoing. But one should not forget that the assistant coach of the team Derrick Pereira was like a rock in the defence for his club and the Indian team during his playing days. Then what went wrong. It could be possible that if the substitute goal-keeper Naveen Kumar was introduced in the team earlier, things could have been different. But then one should not forget that several things went against the team among which were questionable decisions by the referee at crucial stages of the match and of course bad luck.
This aspect of bad luck was evident in the last home match against Cheenayin FC played at Fatorda stadium. On the contrary the Churchill Brothers playing in the I-League have been surging forward in the points table even though the number of fans in the stadium exceeds just a couple of thousands. All said and done all is not lost for FC Goa but then even the team’s greatest supporters will keep their fingers crossed.
