Goa: FC Goa’s new Spanish recruit Ivan Gonzalez has hopes to lead the team by example and help the Gaurs improve their performance when the upcoming edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) starts in Goa on November 20.
The 30-year-old defender, who was the former captain of Cultural Leonesa, was quite vocal about how he resonated with Goa’s attacking brand of football and believes that the Gaurs would outscore the others before stating defence is always an integral part of any team’s success.
“I have chosen FC Goa because they represent a real step forward in my professional career,” Gonzalez told Sportslight Media in an exclusive interaction. “They are the defending league winners of the ISL and will be playing in the AFC Champions League. The state of Goa played an important role in my decision. The people here love football and it is an important part of their lives. I always wanted to be a part of this kind of project.”
“Our focus will have to be only on one thing – to get better every day.” 💪@IvanGGonzalezz discussed his arrival in Goa and the challenges ahead of the new campaign in a recent interaction with the club. 🙌
— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) October 16, 2020
Read more: https://t.co/GLpbeT98CA#ForcaGoa pic.twitter.com/oMq8IiUJRz
Gonzalez, who has all his life played in Spain, is attracted by the Goan style of play and most importantly the way head coach Juan Ferrando goes about the game. “I like the FC Goa style and I like the way that Juan Ferrando wants to play. We look at football in the same way and it was easy for me to say yes to the new challenge,” he added.
Born in Parla, Madrid, González joined Real Madrid’s youth setup in 2002 at the age of 12, from locals AD Parla. He made his senior debut with the C-team in the 2008–09 season, in Tercera División.
In 2012 González moved to another reserve team, Deportivo de La Coruña B also in the fourth tier. In August the following year, he signed for Segunda División B club UB Conquense, being a regular starter for both sides.
In 2014 González joined fellow third division club Cultural Leonesa. After a one-year spell at Racing de Ferrol he returned to the club and contributed with 39 matches (play-offs included) as his side achieved promotion to Segunda División after 42 years.
FC Goa, who were the ISL League Winners last season, finishing top of the table in the league stages, became the first-ever club from India to qualify for the group stages of the AFC Champions League. The Gaurs are also the only ISL side to win more than 50 games and score more than 200 goals.
Having had the experience of captaining the side, Gonzalvez will be a perfect replacement for Carlos Pena, and can lead from the front at the heart of the Goan defence. “First of all, we have to focus on pre-season and ISL. That will be most important for us. After that, we will have to look to the AFC Champions League. We know it’s very important for us, for the fans, for the city and for the club, but we have to be focus to get ready.”
Due to the pandemic, all the ISL games will be played in Goa and when asked if that’s an added advantage, he replied, “I don’t think so. Maybe for the weather and other things, it will be easier for the Goans here. However, all the teams will be in the bubble and everyone should soon acclimate to the conditions. I don’t think that we have an added advantage.”
“The team is really good and everyone is in good spirits as we look forward to the pre-season. I have already said this and will say again, the most important thing this season is to be mentally tough. Our focus will have to be only on one thing – to get better every day,” added the LA Lakers fan.
“We will all look to work hard and improve every day. We only have 2-3 hours every day to train and it will be the best time of the day, for that reason. These two to three hours of training – we have to be focused, ready, and enjoy the work hard.
“We have to focus to get better every day and have our mind busy on the bubble,” said Gonzalez when he was asked about how the players dealt with the pandemic physically and mentally.
The former Real Madrid academy player also seemed to be excited to play against Sunil Chettri and said, “I know he is a very important player for India and his club. He is a great player, it’s going to be great to play against him.”
Finally, speaking for the fans, who wouldn’t be allowed to the stadium this time, Gonzalez said, “We are looking forward to the starting of the season. It’s a different year but the goal remains the same. We know that they are very important to us and will try to do the best and make them proud. Forca Goa!”
