Indian Super League
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Dainik Gomantak
Indian Super League Punjab FC is making its debut in the Indian Super League (ISL) football competition this year, although they are new opponents, we respect them.
“They can be dangerous for us, so the match will not be easy,” FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez said on Sunday.
The match between FC Goa and Punjab FC will be played at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Monday (2nd).
This is FC Goa’s first match of the tournament and Punjab FC team is playing the second match. In the previous match, the Punjab team lost 3-1 against the defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giants.
“Even though they lost, they played very well in Kolkata,” Marquez said of Punjab FC. They have to be consistent. After winning the I-League, this team entered the ISL tournament as a draw. Coaches, some of the players in the team are not changed, it is beneficial for them.
Of course they are dangerous, so the fight will be tough.” At the same time, Marquez also mentioned that his team’s mentality is to get the full three points of victory in Monday’s match.
About FC Goa conceding more goals (35) last season, he said, “A strong defense is also important for the team. It is not right that you score goals and concede goals at the same time, it is important to maintain balance in the team. Measures have been taken in that regard.
Got used to the pressure of expectations
In the ISL, Hyderabad FC won the title under Marquez, overall he is considered the most successful coach in the tournament.
Now, as the mentor of FC Goa, the expectations from him have increased. Marquez said, “I don’t feel the pressure of expectations, on the contrary, I like the situation. He has become accustomed to it.
So football is also at the peak of popularity
Accepting the fact that cricket is at the top in terms of popularity in India, Marquez feels that other sports can also reach the top. He said, “Even if India comes close to World Cup football qualification, the game will reach its height in the country.
In this regard, I will give an example of the performance of tennis player Rafael Nadal. His success boosted the number of young tennis players in Spain. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra’s success in India has increased the attraction towards this sport.
“We will try to win, so maybe we can win. FC Goa did not play in the first match, so their style is not known. But one fact is that their team is well balanced.
– Stykos Vergetis, coach of Punjab FC
“My personal aim as a player is to perform well and win the ISL trophy. I got positive information about Indian football, FC Goa, so I left football in Australia for the first time and came to play in India.”
– Paulo Retre, FC Goa’s Australian centre-back