FC Goa are ready to smash ! The Gaurs had a mixed transfer window as they lost some gems while also recruiting some great talents.
LAST SEASON’S PERFORMANCE:
Under coach Lobera Goa were rampant last season but due to some differences between Lobera and the board he was shockingly sacked. His assistant Clifford Miranda managed to make them league leaders but were knocked out in the semis by Chennaiyin FC.
COACHING STAFF:
Juan Ferrando has been appointed as the new head coach. Clifford Miranda remains assistant coach. The goalkeeping coach is Virender Singh and conditioning coaches are Roma Cullinera and Javi Gonzalez.
TRANSFERS:
As said before it was a mixed window for The Gaurs.
INS:
Goa signed a staggering total of 11 players including 4 Spanish players.The most notable being striker Igor Angulo who scored 63 goals in 106 games in the Estraslaska.
They secured a loan deal for Australian defender James Donachie. They also promoted 6 of their top youth prospects to the first team. It’s a testament to the great work being done in the academy.
OUTS:
The Gaurs lost probably their best player in Ferran Corominas who joined Spanish outlet CD Atletico Baleares. They also lost key players like Mourtada Fall , Hugo Boumous , Mandar Rao Desai who followed their manager to Mumbai City FC.
TACTICS AND FORMATION:
FC GOA have always been a brand of attacking football. Being coached by a Spanish manager over the past 3 seasons they love to pass their opposition to death.
Their best formation will be a 4-2-3-1 with Edu Bedia the skipper and Lenny Rodriguez as the pivots. This formation is a very balanced one and provides good support to both the attack and the defence.
STRENGTHS:
Goa’s main strength lies in their Spanish core which will be able to express themselves even more due to the presence of a Spanish Manager. They also have a good blend of both youth and experience which is always great for any team.
WEAKNESSES:
Goa’s main weakness lies in the fact that a major part of their squad have never played in India before. Plus the sales of some their best players is bound to affect them.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
1. IGOR ANGULO: One of the graduates of the fine Athletic Bilbao academy the Basque striker is a prolific goalscorer scoring 147 goals throughout his career. 63 of those came playing for Polish club Górnik Zabrze over the past 4 seasons. It will be really interesting to see what role he will be given by coach Ferrando.
2. EDU BEDIA: Goa’s skipper will be playing a key role in midfield and he might even be the key to unlock the opponent’s defence after key midfielder Ahmed Jahouh left . A graduate of the great La Masia academy Edu will be looking to rack up a few assists linking up with fellow Spaniards Noguera and Angulo.
SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Mohammad Nawaz, Naveen Kumar, Shubham Dhas, Dylan D’ Silva.
Defenders: Sarineo Fernandes, Aiban Dohling, Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Leander D’cunha, Mohamed Ali, Sanson Pereira, Saviour Gama , Seriton Fernandes.
Midfielders: Alberto Noguera, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Brandon Fernandes, Edu Bedia, Flan Gomes, Jorge Ortiz Mendoza, Lenny Rodrigues, Nestor Dias, Phrangki Buam, Princeton Rebello, Redeem Tlang, Seiminlen Doungel.
Forwards: Aaren D’silva, Devendra Murgaonkar, Igor Angulo, Ishan Pandita, Makan Winkle Chothe.