PANJIM: A new skin, some new faces and a new challenge but the Gaurs are still chasing the same old dream! A new look FC Goa are all set to begin their Indian Super League Season 5 campaign today as they take on NorthEast United Football Club in Guwahati.
The Gaurs will be seen in new colours this time around. The colours are said to represent fire as the focus and the hunger to win the title.
Taking the baton from the tutelage of Brazilian legend and former FC Goa coach Zico, Spain’s Sergio Lobera surprised all by taking FC Goa’s season beyond expectations as the Gaurs became the most feared team in the league, thanks to their most pressing, eye-pleasing and attacking approach towards the game. Despite scoring maximum goals (42 goals), FC Goa ran out of steam in the semi-finals.
Coach Lobera with his Spanish flavour and his adherence to attacking philosophy managed to conquer the ISL with an unique style of play. Season four performance from the Gaurs gave the fans a reason to believe and a victory anticipation for the Season 5.
In Transfer window: The summer has been marked by the departure of star player Manuel Lanzarote after a bitter fallout with coach Sergio. Few other names were also let go by the Spaniard. The departure of Lanza will surely affect the team chemistry as his deadly partnership with Ferran Corominas helped Goa be the most attacking side.
However, the Spanish gaffer has roped in three Spaniards to fill the void. Sergio has turned to Miguel Palanca to score the goals and help Ferran Corominas upfront this coming season, a player he knew from their time in Spain, who also donned the Real Madrid colours. Sergio also inked a deal with Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena to address his defensive woes.
The team dynamics: Having been exposed by many teams in ISL 4, FC Goa’s defence was the vital factor of their downfall as one of the most famous and successful coaches Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.”
FC Goa’s journey was hit hard by their inconsistent and unsettling defence. FC Goa will need to boost their back line significantly if they are to figure in the title race. At the back, their hope will be in the new signing Mourtada Fall, who can guard the defence along with Mohammed Ali, new signings Nirmal Chhetri and Carlos Pena and Co. The signing of Lalthuanmawia Ralte will give Kattimani a tough competition to earn the place under the bar, despite not playing much football.
Plenty of positives too: With few negatives, FC Goa has plenty of positives. The team has most number of local players, the rise of development squad players such as Princeton Rebello and Liston. FC Goa boasts being one of the most attacking side and with a great pre-season, the team is expected to do even better than before in the upcoming season. However, the best part lies in the FC Goa’s midfield. The team has finest quality players as medios. Jackhichand Singh, Lenny Rodrigues, Brandon Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai, upcoming talent Princeton Rebello all in line with Ahmed Jahouh, Edu Bedia, Miguel Palanca and Hugo Boumous — to fight for a place in the starting eleven. Surely a tough task for Lobera in naming the top four on the match day.
Final take: Definitely, plenty will be expected from Sergio and his Gaurs. Keeping in mind his attacking philosophy and eye-pleasing brand, the Goan fans will dream of nothing less than of a trophy in Season 5. Last season, Sergio instilled faith and belief in the team to achieve their dream of winning the title and having spent a season understanding Indian football, Sergio stands favourite to get the title home this year.
