PANJIM: Despite all the problems in the FC Goa camp, there was a sense of calm after Derrick Pereira took charge of the Gaurs when they were at their lowest. Not hitting the panic button and rightly so with more than half of the season left, the Goan gaffer managed to earn two points from three fixtures.
FC Goa might be at their lowest in terms of points and standings. However, the result doesn’t actually reflect their performances as they were brilliant in their previous game where the Gaurs came from two goals down to earn a point. Derrick’s men actually deserved much more than a point from that fixture!
However, with the season now approaching the half-way mark, Derrick Pereira will look for a morale boosting result against Chennaiyin FC at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Saturday.
“From now on, it is all do or die. For us, we have to go for the three points. We have to plan in such a way that we go for the maximum. I was happy to hear from the other coaches that FC Goa is a very good team and then you know the (league) standing doesn’t reflect that, but we should continue playing good football and believe in ourselves,” said Derrick Pereira during the pre-match conference.
FC Goa had started the campaign with many of the star players injured. Though Brandon Fernandes is yet to make a start this season, the squad looks to be more balanced now as most of the injured (Glan Martins, Ortiz, Nemil) have settled in the team.
“Now that we have our injured players back, we need to build that understanding among ourselves and create opportunities to score. If we get one good win, then we’ll get enough confidence and motivation to do well in the remaining matches,” added Derrick who sounded confident of getting the required goals with the players returning from injuries.
Knowing it’s the last match of the first phase, FC Goa will look for nothing less than three against Chennaiyin FC, a side which aren’t at their best either this season. “Our focus should be on Saturday’s game in whatever way we can plan it out, go in there and put our best foot forward. We also need to keep the composure up front to finish and hopefully keep a clean sheet” stated Derrick whose side have conceded 18 goals so far in just 9 games, averaging two goals a game. Chennaiyin FC started the campaign with a bang but have found consistency hard to get in their recent games. They won two and lost three of their last five games. However, a win against Jamshedpur in their last game should come as a timely shot in the arm for Chennaiyin.
“Every team brings a whole new challenge for us,” stated Pereira ahead of the game. “With Chennai, we have seen how they play and it has been effective for them. They are a compact team and we have to seek out a plan to get the better of them.” FC Goa will look for a win to get their campaign back as they look to make it to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
Meanwhile, ATK Mohun Bagan will clash with Odisha FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, at 7.30 p.m.
