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A lot of things have changed since FC Goa last played a Indian Super League match in front of fans. To be precise, by the time the Gaurs take to the field on Wednesday, it will be 950 days since that happened.
Carlos Pena, who was then a part of the playing squad, is now back as the Club’s head coach. And he believes that the team’s strong personality will reflect on their performances in ISL 2022-23 and pull them back to the top end of the table after an un-FC Goa like performance last season as they finished ninth on the table.
“We’re really excited about the start of the new season. We had a good, lengthy pre-season where we worked hard on ourselves, and now we’re looking forward to the matches,” he said in the pre-match press conference on Monday, ahead of their season opener against East Bengal.
“The first match is always very special. We would’ve loved to begin our campaign in front of our home fans, but the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata is also a good venue to kick-start things with.
“One thing that I’ve noticed with our squad during pre-season is our personality. We’ll play with a strong personality, going for the win right from kick-off,” he further added.
Even though East Bengal started the season with a loss at the hands of Kerala Blasters, the game will see the Red and Gold play their first Indian Super League game in front of their arduous fans. And the atmosphere will surely be a test for Pena’s boys.
“They may have lost their first match, but the fact that they’re going to play in front of their own fans is one of the reasons that makes them strong. It’s going to be a challenge for us, but we will be brave. The game is important for both teams,” opined the FC Goa gaffer ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
Last month, the Gaurs announced their 27-member squad for ISL 2022-23, with nine of their players aged 22 or younger.
“It’s true that we have several youngsters in the team, but football is all about balance and we’ve worked on that aspect. We have several players who add a great deal of experience to the side, so that will not be a problem at all,” the tactician commented.
FC Goa’s new signing Iker Guarrotxena also spoke at the pre-match press conference.
“I came to FC Goa seeking a good challenge and knowing that the Club was giving me a great opportunity to win trophies. All of that starts from our first match, which we’ll play against East Bengal on Wednesday.
“But right now, I’m not thinking about it all – my focus is completely on the first game alone, and we have to win it,” he further added.
Guarrotxena revealed that the pre-season preparations have given him confidence. “We have followed a certain style of play during training and we’ll stick to it during our matches as well. At the same time, our coaches have also trained us on how to maintain an open mind so as to perform according to what each game demands of us.”
Up against an East Bengal side that will be backed by thousands of loyal and vociferous supporters, it might be a case of ‘baptism by fire’ for Carlos Pena’s men in his first match in charge. Then again, as the saying goes, ‘a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor’.
