sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The FC Goa’s win against Al Shabab brought about a renewed hope for football fans in Goa.
“Wow! It’s a great new hope. I am very much sure they will win the title this season. FC Goa has the best team in the ISL for the 2nd edition. The Brazilian samba is working its magic,” said James D’Souza, Football Coach, GFDC Poira.
“FC Goa have started to combine well after their 2-2 draw in their first practice match. They can only improve from here. I guess they will score more goals in their next match. The team is making Goans proud all over the World and I hope they clinch the title this time, “said Jonas Fernandes, FC Goa fan, St Xavier HS, Moira.
The battle fought in the desert was widely followed by FC Goa fans on twitter and the win against the top flight UAE squad convinced the fans that the ISL Cup was their for taking.
“This ISL is ours, because we have more experienced players and a very strong bench strength. Big names like Lucio are match winners, he has won everything in his career and this year he will win the ISL for us,” echoed Remus Gomes, Captain, Tuff Laxmi Prasad SC.
FC Goa beat Al Shabab 2-1 in their second friendly ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season 2, at the Al Shabab stadium in Dubai, on Tuesday.
Zico made four changes from the 11 that started in the 2-2 draw against Al Khaleej. Laxmikant Kattimani started in between the sticks in place of Elinton Andrade while Narayan Das, Pronay Halder and Darryl Duffy were handed starts in place of Debabrata Roy, Joaquim Abranches and Thongkhosiem Haokip.
Goa kept a good shape in the defense marshaled by marquee player Lucio despite having to deal with a couple of long efforts from their opponents until the Gaurs started getting offensive in attack. Chants for Romeo filled the stadium as Al Shabab tried desperately searched for a goal.
“It was good match because all the players played around 90 minutes with a good level. This was the most important thing in this match. Many things were good during the matches. There are some things that we have to correct,” said Zico, Head Coach, FC Goa.
