PANJIM: Following an announcement from the organisers of the Hero Indian Super League, FC Goa is now scheduled to play their next match against ATK on 3rd January 2018. This will be followed by a trip to Guwahati to play NorthEast United FC on January 6, 2018.
The Gaurs will then return to Goa to take on Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on January 11, thereby completing a tiresome set of fixture which will see FC Goa take to the field three times in nine days.
The club has expressed their displeasure at having to play these games within close proximity of each other and lamented on the lack of support from various parties to ensure that the game went ahead as planned on 31st December 2017.
FC Goa President, Akshay Tandon said, “As a club, we are disappointed in the last minute change of fixtures. A lot of work goes into the planning of our season behind the scenes and we try and ensure we give the team the best possible options so they can play every match at optimal levels. Last minute changes in plans are always something that are detrimental to the team’s cause and this is the case here. As it stands, we will have to play the game on the 3rd of January and there isn’t much we can do about it.”
Head Coach, Sergio Lobera, also addressed the issue saying, “I don’t find it just that the calendar changes with such a short notice period. We had a plan in place sporting-wise and logistically as well, with regard to the flights and stay. Changes like this can hurt the final standings of the league table.”
