Forca Goa: From the last to number two, we did it all

DATTARAJ V. SALGAOCAR

I recall Zico telling us after we were at the bottom of the table after six games, “The fear of losing should never take away the desire of winning. I want all my 27 players to be bold and courageous, work hard, focus and take their chances as opportunities will come when you practice hard and are prepared.” This resonated with our FC Goa’s motto “Believe. Inspire. Charge.”

That is what we continued to do: believe in our players and  Zico and his strategy. Each of our players would soon prove that he was the best in the ISL. The football community which had written us off soon started appreciating our style of football as FC Goa gradually rose to the number two spot in the standings.

When Baba Dempo and I bid for the Goa franchise of ISL with Videocon and Virat Kohli, little did we realize that we are unleashing something which would unite Goa as never before.

Although we expected meagre crowds at Fatorda stadium, we got a packed stadium. We could have accommodated over 50,000 spectators. The atmosphere at Fatorda was electrifying. I have never seen such crowds and such a sense of emotional attachment for FC Goa. I was truly overwhelmed and humbled by the love and support of our fans who I believe are the best in the world.

The journey was not easy and was in fact very turbulent. We hit lots of air pockets. Injuries, bad referee decisions, series of losses and the like and we were at the bottom of the league in the first leg. But we, at the management level, did not lose our faith and trust in our players and coach Zico. We knew it was a question of time and we did not blink. 

Coach Zico was able to gauge each player’s abilities, strengths and potential and strategically utilize them. For example, though Romeo, Narayan Das and Mandar were not in the starting squad of Dempo, they were there in the lineup of FC Goa. Andre Santos was played as an attacking midfielder and Bruno Pinheiro as a central defender. Under Zico’s watchful eyes we were able to get the best out of each player. Each delivered.

We played football in the true spirit of the game, not playing it to win at any cost. Our local players like Romeo, Narayan Das, Mandar, to name a few were outstanding and made their presence felt alongside internationals like Robert Pires, Andre Santos, Jan Seda, Gregory, etc. We were on fire as a team and played entertaining football.

All Goans loved this and the entire country started praising the F C Goa style of football.

I am now very optimistic for football in India. IMG-Reliance and Star Sports have done a fabulous job on promoting football and ISL in India. As per reports, ISL is the 4th highest watched football league in the world. I am proud that Goans have prominently figured in every ISL franchise in the country. This experience has given them tremendous exposure and confidence. F C Goa star Romeo already has an offer from Atletico Paraneise. I am confident that we shall see more of our home grown footballers play for top clubs in international leagues in the future. 

F C Goa may have lost in the penalty shootout in the semi finals, but I believe that it has won the hearts of Goa and our entire country. Our vision of uniting the people of Goa through football has come true; every Goan has been rooting for our team. Chants of Forca Goa were ringing in every nook and corner of Goa. Let me tell you that this amazing journey has only just begun and the Forca shall be with us.

Let’s football!