FC Goa will get the points and the wins, I’m 100% sure, says captain Odei Onaindia

Panaji: Odei Onaindia believes it is important for him to assess his own performance, before that of his teammates, as FC Goa seek to fight their way back into contention in the Indian Super League (ISL).

Goa have made an indifferent start, winning just one of their first five games, and none of the three played at home. The poor results have left them ninth on the table.

“If I am self-critical, maybe I am not in the best (form),” the FC Goa captain said during the pre-match media interaction. “I have to do more, I have to train more. We will get the points and the wins. I'm 100% sure.”

While Goa have continued to score freely, just like previous seasons, it is the goals against column that has raised eyebrows. The team has conceded ten goals in five game; only bottom-placed East Bengal have fared worse with 12 goals.

For coach Manolo Marquez, who wants his side to be compact and miserly at the back, the defensive performance has been worrying. Odei, a defensive pillar, agreed, given that Goa had nine clean sheets last season with almost the same batch of players. Now, in five games, they have none.

“Every season is different. Maybe we have to adjust something because I think it's not only the four defenders or the keeper (who should be defending). We have to adjust from the striker to the keeper. A clean sheet will help, we will climb up and get better. Right now, I am not happy (with the results and performance) but we can turn the situation. I know we can do it,” said the Spanish centre-back.

Goa face Chennaiyin away on Thursday in a game that they must win or risk falling further behind in the qualification race. If it’s any consolation for Manolo’s side, Chennaiyin have never defeated Goa at home in a league meeting since 2016, a run of five straight defeats.

“Our focus is not on Chennaiyin. This is the game that we have to win. We will go there and show that we are a strong team, and that can (only) be done with a win,” said Odei.
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