Goemkarponn desk
Panaji: FC Goa secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against a resilient Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday. The Gaurs, who were looking to bounce back from a difficult result against Jamshedpur FC last week, showed grit in the closing moments to claim a valuable point, much to the relief of the fans and Head Coach Manolo Marquez.
Reflecting on the game, Marquez acknowledged the strength of their opponents, who are still finding their feet in the ISL after promotion.
“They played a good game, same as the other day,” he said, referring to Mohammedan SC’s previous fixture, a narrow defeat against NorthEast United FC. “I think they are still dealing with some physical issues because their pre-season was short, similar to what we saw with Punjab FC last season. They are adapting to the ISL, but I think their supporters can be proud. They have a clear style and a lot of continuity with their players, which made it a very difficult game for us.”
The Spaniard was full of praise for Mohammedan SC’s players, highlighting their quality and potential. “They have very good players, not only the two foreigners (Alexis Gomes and Franca) but also some impressive Indian talent. I like Bikash (Sangolsem Singh), their left-footed winger. He’s a fantastic player. Kasimov played an outstanding game as well and, in my opinion, was the best player on the pitch.
“They have strong full-backs, and overall, Mohammedan SC is a good team. I agree with Juan Pedro Benali (Head Coach) of NorthEast United when he said that not many teams will beat them at home.”
Despite the challenges posed by their opponents, FC Goa showed resilience. The team, which had enjoyed a promising pre-season including victories over A-League Men side Brisbane Roar, Argentine club Defensa y Justicia and lifting the Bandodkar Trophy by beating Odisha FC in the final, has recently struggled to maintain momentum.
However, Manolo Marquez believes the team is not far from rediscovering its form.
“We are not in a good moment, especially mentally,” he admitted. “Physically and technically, we know the kind of players we have. But the team seems tired. Even in some moments, we don’t know what to do. It’s difficult to explain. After such a strong pre-season and a great first half against Jamshedpur FC, the team allowed them to turn the score around.”
In a candid assessment, Marquez took responsibility for the recent dip in performances, acknowledging that adjustments may be needed. “It may be a lack of character or maybe I was wrong with the lineup and the substitutions,” he reflected.
“But this isn’t about blaming anyone. The positive thing is that, despite everything, we got a point in injury time, which I’m not sure we fully deserved. It’s something to build on.”
For FC Goa fans, the result may not have been perfect, but it demonstrated the team’s fighting spirit and refusal to give up. The squad, under the guidance of Manolo Marquez, has shown flashes of brilliance so far this season, and the coach remains optimistic that the Gaurs can return to their best form soon.
