FC Goa return to the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda with plenty to prove.
After an indifferent start that saw them win just one of their first four matches, none of the two at home, Goa will be eager to start afresh, particularly against Mumbai City FC, given what happened in last season’s semifinals.
Goa, it needs no reminding, were cruising to a 2-0 win with a few minutes on the clock. Then, something strange happened as Mumbai struck three times in the dying minutes to win 3-2. It was a result that completely deflated the capacity home crowd and coach Manolo Marquez was to admit that he had “never experienced anything like this.”
It's also significant that Goa have not defeated Mumbai in over four years and 12 meetings which includes five draws and seven losses, since the win on Feb 12, 2020.
“FC Goa vs Mumbai City, it's the big one. I know last time was a tough one, but trust me, we want revenge too,” captain Odei Onaindia said in a video message for the fans shared by the club.
Manolo, too, wants a win, but unlike his captain and players, he’s not baying for revenge in this ISL clash.
“This is not about revenge,” Manolo said during the pre-match media interaction. “You play against the same teams every season. I remember playing against Mohun Bagan five times in one year.”
The experienced Spanish coach though agreed on one aspect: Goa vs Mumbai always produces good football. “They are usually good games, at least in terms of football. I like the games between Goa and Mumbai,” he said.
Goa will be pleased to welcome three of their injured players.
Defender Sandesh Jhingan and Spanish forward Iker Guarrotxena – both out of action for a long time with ACL injuries – played 60 minutes in the friendly against Goa Police last week and have been declared fit to play competitive football. Mohammed Yasir, too, will be back, giving Manolo plenty of options.
Just like Goa, Mumbai too have had a difficult start and are without a win in three games so far. Manolo, though, wasn’t fooled with the points table where the ISL trophy winners are placed 11th. “My feeling is that they deserve more points than they have,” said the Goa coach.
Mumbai coach Petr Kratky would agree.
With a team built to challenge for the big trophies, Mumbai should have been higher up the table. But, besides form, fixtures haven’t been kind, as they have played three of the top four teams so far this season.
“We need to get better. We have to keep improving, every week, play better football. All that we want right now is to start winning. The boys have worked hard and are ready to make the next step,” said Kratky.
It will be an emotional return to Goa and Fatorda for Brandon Fernandes, who made the move to Mumbai after seven years with his home club. He was captain last season, scored famously in the semifinals too, but will now plot Goa’s downfall.
“Obviously that’s the past. You cannot look behind and think (about the semifinal loss). We have to look forward. Right now, I am with Mumbai, excited to go back to Goa. When the fixtures were announced, the first thing I checked was when we were playing against Goa. I am very excited,” said Brandon.
After an indifferent start that saw them win just one of their first four matches, none of the two at home, Goa will be eager to start afresh, particularly against Mumbai City FC, given what happened in last season’s semifinals.
Goa, it needs no reminding, were cruising to a 2-0 win with a few minutes on the clock. Then, something strange happened as Mumbai struck three times in the dying minutes to win 3-2. It was a result that completely deflated the capacity home crowd and coach Manolo Marquez was to admit that he had “never experienced anything like this.”
It's also significant that Goa have not defeated Mumbai in over four years and 12 meetings which includes five draws and seven losses, since the win on Feb 12, 2020.
“FC Goa vs Mumbai City, it's the big one. I know last time was a tough one, but trust me, we want revenge too,” captain Odei Onaindia said in a video message for the fans shared by the club.
Manolo, too, wants a win, but unlike his captain and players, he’s not baying for revenge in this ISL clash.
“This is not about revenge,” Manolo said during the pre-match media interaction. “You play against the same teams every season. I remember playing against Mohun Bagan five times in one year.”
The experienced Spanish coach though agreed on one aspect: Goa vs Mumbai always produces good football. “They are usually good games, at least in terms of football. I like the games between Goa and Mumbai,” he said.
Goa will be pleased to welcome three of their injured players.
Defender Sandesh Jhingan and Spanish forward Iker Guarrotxena – both out of action for a long time with ACL injuries – played 60 minutes in the friendly against Goa Police last week and have been declared fit to play competitive football. Mohammed Yasir, too, will be back, giving Manolo plenty of options.
Just like Goa, Mumbai too have had a difficult start and are without a win in three games so far. Manolo, though, wasn’t fooled with the points table where the ISL trophy winners are placed 11th. “My feeling is that they deserve more points than they have,” said the Goa coach.
Mumbai coach Petr Kratky would agree.
With a team built to challenge for the big trophies, Mumbai should have been higher up the table. But, besides form, fixtures haven’t been kind, as they have played three of the top four teams so far this season.
“We need to get better. We have to keep improving, every week, play better football. All that we want right now is to start winning. The boys have worked hard and are ready to make the next step,” said Kratky.
It will be an emotional return to Goa and Fatorda for Brandon Fernandes, who made the move to Mumbai after seven years with his home club. He was captain last season, scored famously in the semifinals too, but will now plot Goa’s downfall.
“Obviously that’s the past. You cannot look behind and think (about the semifinal loss). We have to look forward. Right now, I am with Mumbai, excited to go back to Goa. When the fixtures were announced, the first thing I checked was when we were playing against Goa. I am very excited,” said Brandon.
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