The Gaurs currently rank ninth in the Indian Super League standings
Sometimes things are not the same as they look. The biggest example in this regard may be FC Goa. Their eighth Indian Super League season (till now) has been one which the management, players and fans would like to forget. A poor start to the season, consecutive defeats, unexpected events and inconsistency. Everything has played a part to camouflage the Gaurs in a blanket of mediocrity.
Are FC Goa a mediocre side that lack quality? Certainly not! They are the current champions of the 130th edition of the Durand Cup. Additionally, it hasn't even been a year since they participated in the AFC Champions League. So, what has gone wrong for the Gaurs this season? Here are five things to reflect on.
5. Too much reliance on the foreign contingent
Romario is the only Indian player in FC Goa squad to score more than one goal (Courtesy: ISL Media)
The myth that Indian football is heavily influenced by foreigners has turned into truth for the Gaurs. Well, and truly, the Indian defenders have really been performing at their best. But, the middle and the final third has been somewhat dependent on the foreigners.
If we have a close look at the matches which yielded FC Goa points, we'll notice that apart from their win against Bengaluru FC, in most of the games the difference was created by the foreigners. Be it Ivan Gonzalez scoring against Odisha FC in the reverse fixture, Jorge Ortiz netting the solitary winner against Chennaiyin FC or Alberto Noguera's brace against SC East Bengal.
It can be said that FC Goa lack an Indian game-changer. Supposedly, Brandon Fernandes can be considered as the only player who can create a difference during a game. With six matches still left, FC Goa's Indian brigade will now be expected to deliver more in terms of goals, assists and creativity.
4. Missing out on key players due to injuries
Injury concerns were there in the squad from the very beginning of the season. Brandon Fernandes, who is considered to be an integral member of the side, suffered an injury during his stay at the national team for the SAFF Championship and was out for a long time. In the last match, against Jamshedpur FC, the 27-year-old got his first start this season and his inputs were visible, as he helped the Gaurs to create chances up front.
Apart from Brandon, players like Dylan Fox, Edu Bedia, Ivan Gonzalez, Makan Winkle Chothe, Muhammed Nemil and others have been out at times due to injuries or COVID concerns. Even their main player upfront, Ortiz was suspended for two games and is currently suffering from an injury.
3. Mid-season change at the helm
Ferrando activated the release clause in his FC Goa contract and joined ATK Mohun Bagan (Courtesy: ISL Media)
It was unthinkable to many. Even the people sitting at the helm of the club got to know of Juan Ferrando's decision to join ATK Mohun Bagan at the last moment. It is hard to estimate whether the team would have done well under his tutelage in the remaining part of the season. But, if there wasn't a change at the helm, Goa may have been in a better position now. Whenever there is a sudden change at the helm, the team gets affected in terms of the players' mentally and tactical changes.
In FC Goa's case, no one really expected this to happen. The team had to start all over again under the guidance of their new head coach Derrick Pereira. However, thanks to their football philosophy (in which Pereira played a big part), the team wasn't affected enormously.
If FC Goa didn't possess a particular philosophy or if they had brought in someone with a different approach, than Ferrando or Pereira, perhaps the players would have found it hard to get accustomed under their new boss. Luckily, that didn't happen. Still, results haven't gone in their favour and the Gaurs are really struggling.
2. Lack of consistency
As mentioned earlier, FC Goa didn't enjoy a fruitful start to the season. For the second time in the competition, the team didn't bag a win in their first three encounters. It had happened previously in 2016 and that was the only season when the Gaurs failed to qualify for the playoffs.
The situation looks similar this time around, as the chances of qualifying for the playoffs are thin for FC Goa. However, anything is possible in sport! After a poor start, the team appeared to be back on track. But, following a few wins, things started to fall apart again. Currently, they have just one victory in the last 10 matches. Consistency is very important in any sport and Goa have had issues in this aspect.
1. Finishing in the final third
Ortiz is the highest scorer for FC Goa this season with five goals (Courtesy: ISL Media)
If FC Goa would have been able to convert most of their goalscoring chances this season, then surely they wouldn't have been in the ninth position on the table. The team are lacking thrust in the final third. The transition from last season (regarding transfers) hasn't been up to the mark.
Previously, the club enjoyed the services of Ferran Corominas and Igor Angulo. Both these forwards also went on to bag the Golden Boot award. As a replacement for Angulo, Airam Cabrera was brought in by the management. However, the Spaniard has failed to live up to the expectations.
Even youngster Devendra Murgaonkar, who showed much hope in the Durand Cup after scoring the most goals (five with Marcus Joseph), hasn't delivered many goals in the ISL. Even though Devendra has shown signs of improvement and has been giving his best, much more is expected from him.
With Murgaonkar and Cabrera failing to bolster the attacking third, Jorge Ortiz has shouldered a lot of responsibility. Not a proper No. 9, the Spaniard has scored four goals and assisted five times so far in the league. But, what if he's absent due to an injury or a suspension? FC Goa need to work on this, if not for the upcoming matches, then surely, for next season.
