FC Goa Coach Manolo Marquez Brushes Off Motivation Doubts Ahead of ISL Campaign
Panaji: FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez has firmly rejected suggestions that his squad lacks the drive to compete for top honors in the Indian Super League this season, despite already securing a coveted place in next year's AFC Champions League Two playoffs. The team earned this continental qualification by winning the Super Cup, defeating East Bengal in a penalty shootout on home soil.
Addressing Concerns Over Team Focus
In a pre-match media interaction on Wednesday, Marquez emphasized that FC Goa remains fully committed and competitive, regardless of their recent achievement. "Whether we have our full quota of six foreigners or not, this team is FC Goa," he declared. "We have a team that will be very competitive for all 13 games." He acknowledged a sluggish first-half performance against debutants Inter Kashi in their season opener but highlighted the team's resilience in securing a 1-1 draw with a late penalty from Dejan Drazic.
When questioned about his disappointment with the opening 45 minutes, Marquez defended the result as a "fair score," praising Inter Kashi's defensive organization. "Inter Kashi, if they score first, will be very, very difficult to beat," he noted. "They have very good organisation, ten players behind the ball, waiting to pounce on a mistake. To counter them, you need to be very good in attack because it’s not easy to surpass 10 players."
Confidence in Squad and Upcoming Challenges
Expressing unwavering confidence in his players, Marquez stated, "We will have a good season for sure. I don’t know where we will finish, but the team will compete in every game." He admitted to being demanding and sometimes tough but praised the squad's dedication. "These are top guys. I love these players, they work hard in every training session," he added.
Looking ahead, FC Goa faces Mohammedan Sporting Club, who will field an all-Indian lineup due to a transfer ban. Marquez was impressed by their performance in a narrow 1-0 loss to Jamshedpur FC, warning that their lack of pressure could make them dangerous. "At least now, they are playing without much pressure. They played freely against Jamshedpur and that can be dangerous for the opponents," he said. "We know Mohammedan will play with a lot of intensity, which we have to match. Maybe we have more quality, but if we want to win all points, we have to show our quality on the field."
Embracing Varied Tactical Tests
Marquez highlighted the diverse challenges in the ISL, viewing them as valuable tests for his team. "In the ISL, we face teams with different approaches. Fortunately, we won’t find a lot of teams like Inter Kashi, playing with a lot of order, aggressively, with good intensity," he explained. "Now Mohammedan pose another challenge and Delhi have a different style. Then, East Bengal. This is a good test, because when players understand what they are up against, we are competitive and get good results."
With the ISL season condensed to 13 matches per side, even the league champions will only secure a playoff spot for the AFC Champions League Two, adding urgency to every fixture. Marquez's comments underscore his belief that FC Goa is poised to tackle these hurdles head-on, dismissing any notion of complacency after their Super Cup triumph.
