Goa: After a hard-fought draw against Hyderabad FC FC Goa would be facing table-toppers Mumbai City FC in the India Super League playoffs on Friday at the Fatorda. However, Goa will miss some of the key players due to injury.
“I don’t think so. We have a very good squad, to be honest,” head coach Juan Ferrando said when asked if that would be a problem during the pre-match press conference. “Princeton, Noguera will be missing but we do have a player like Adil on our side, in the case of Noguera we will find a new plan.
“It’s not a problem. Because already missed a player like Brandon due to injury but still we managed to get through. The boys have been working hard in the training and that helps me to pick the best squad easily.”
The Goa-Mumbai has been nothing short of good memories in recent years. After Sergio Lobera joined Mumbai from Goa as a head coach this season, he took the maximum no of players with him.
Asked if it would be termed as Ferrando versus Lobera duel, the Goan coach said, “I don’t think so. At the end, it’s Goa vs Mumbai. At some point maybe we have something similar in the football pitch as per the tactics. But my theory has always been that I want my players to understand the concept of space and timing in the pitch.
“Whenever we train during our sessions we always focus on these things. We have to understand we are playing football and we need to get the concept of space, time and controlling the ball. I believe in this concept,” he added.
Goa haven’t beaten Mumbai this season. In the first leg, they lost from a late penalty by Adam Le Fondre while the match ended in a draw. “Yeah I hope boys are thinking it differently this time, we are talking about it in the training sessions and most importantly they enjoy the game. The most important part is we had success this season,” Ferrando said.
“The most important part of the side has been everyone in the squad wants to play football. It becomes very difficult if the team stops playing football it becomes very difficult for a coach. But this team has been good and goes well with our theory.”
Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem had been rock-solid in the last match against Hyderabad. He saved two genuine chances and eventually helped Goa to qualify for the play-offs. “It’s very important to help the players and also it’s necessary to improve time by time. Dheeraj has been a part of a squad but the story has been similar to Adil,” Ferrando said.
“It’s important to explain, find solutions, help these players in the training sessions. It’s important to understand them or else it would be difficult. We have got too many young talents in our side and we hope that they improve well time by time. I am happy to work with them.”
