Goa : FC Goa had a rocky start to their season this year in the seventh edition of the Hero Indian Super League. But they have shown their past glimpse in their last match against Kerala Blasters FC. Coach Juan Ferrando looked happy and satisfied and he looked confident about his side in the pre-match press conference against Odisha FC which will be played on Saturday.
He has been a dynamic man in the FC Goa dugout, always throwing his thoughts and tactics for his players, in the press conference when he was asked about their next opponent, Odisha FC as they haven’t managed a single win till date in this season, Juan said, ” See it is tricky, next week we have three games and it will be difficult. The most important thing for the team is to stay fit as the next week will be very important for us and for the team’s future too.”
FC Goa as said played really well against Kerala, in their last game. When asked about the team’s mood after that victory, coach Juan said, ” Most importantly three points is good for the improvement in the confidence of the players, it’s a positive feeling which they felt, as they have been working hard and playing to win. But that match is past now, we are focusing on the Odisha match. In football when you win or loose you need to forget it after that night. New day new beginning.”
Juan has shuffled his players a lot in the first three matches, he has made quite a few changes in every match on team’s starting XI, when asked about his best XI, he said, ” See I believe in every player. Sadly, only XI players can start in a football match but you all need to understand a coach believes in his every player. In first match I started with Len. In last match Romario started and delivered a prolific performance. It’s not about best XI it’s about the belief which a coach need on his players.”
In the first four matches Igor Angulo, Brandon Fernandes, Edu Bedia were the eye catchers. So when Juan was asked about what is he expecting from them at the end of the season, he said, ” Igor Angulo is a high class player. You all can see every time he touches the ball he turns it into a goal, am very happy for him personally. And for Brandon and Edu they love to stay to their feet and play the game. That’s been their natural game, even Serinton, Gama beside me has been key for us. Undoubtedly they are important for the team.”
Juan has been a new man in this country, his tactics have been new for the FC Goa side, so when asked about how the team has coped up with his tactics, he said, ” We need to work more, we have just worked one month and only three friendly games. We need some more match time together, some more training. Fans have huge expectations from us but to reach the top we need to work harder than what we have been working now. But time to time things will change, I hope.”
The team hasn’t kept a clean sheet till now, when asked about it, Juan said this, ” It’s not just only about the defence rather the team as a whole. See against Bengaluru it was our first match so you can understand. Against Mumbai City FC it was a penalty, North East United FC was a penalty, against Kerala it was a mistake as after they crossed in we couldn’t control and it was two against one and their goal happened. Sometimes it happens with intensity of the game. At times we need to press highly and results to such things.”
Lastly when he was asked about his upcoming matches, Juan said, ” See this is not a league where you win 5-0, or 3-0 in every match. It’s a tough league as every match is played like a final match, each and every club is close to each other. You make one mistake and the opponent will score against you. ISL is actually good for Indian football as every team has the possibility to win the title.”
FC Goa has earned five points out of their four games and after a win against Kerala they look more confident to face the Odisha challenge on Saturday.
