ISL: FC Goa look to halt Bagan’s march

Panaji: Gouramangi Singh reacted with a laugh when told that he has a 100% win record as coach of FC Goa. It came last season when Manolo Marquez was on national duty and the former India defender had to manage the team in the knockout stages of the Bandodkar Gold Trophy, a tournament that the home team won.The Indian assistant coach at Goa will hope for a similar result as he takes charge of the team in the absence of Manolo, who remains suspended. It won’t be easy, given that they are up against defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday.A 0-2 defeat against Jamshedpur FC in a crucial encounter left Goa fourth on the ISL table with 19 points after 11 games. Bagan are third with 20 points after playing nine matches.“We know exactly who they are, what they are, where do they stand, and what their ambitions are,” Gouramangi said during Friday’s pre-match media interaction. “If you look at previous matches, it’s always been competitive where the games are decided by small details. We have a style of football that we believe in. Bagan have a completely different style. We are certain that we will keep fighting. Bagan know they will have to work really hard to get something from here.”Bagan have been the better team over the years, registering six victories. Even now they are star studded with six foreign players, while Goa will have just two on the field, with doubts whether winger Dejan Drazic will be able to last the distance, having just returned from injury. Sahil Tavora remains injured while Gouramangi confirmed “everyone else is available.”“Against Jamshedpur, we know what went wrong and I think we won’t make the same mistakes. It’s a completely different opposition that we face now. It’s the last home games of the season and we will be competitive for sure. This will be an equal game where opportunities (to score) will be slim,” saidGoa will miss the experience of Manolo in the dugout. The Spaniard has been handed a one match ban for violating the AIFF’s disciplinary code and “bringing the game into disrepute.” He was charged for voicing his displeasure on the refereeing standards after the defeat against Jamshedpur.“The boys are surely going to miss him (Manolo). He has been the man guiding the team for the last three years. But the good thing about this team, and Manolo always speaks about it, is the group. The boys are fantastic and they know exactly what we expect from them,” said Gouramangi.Bagan are chasing a historic third successive ISL title with Lobera now at the helm. The visitors will also be fresh after a two-week break on the back of a 1-0 win away against NorthEast United FC.“We can be positive and find solutions or try to find excuses; my way isn’t to find excuses. I always try to be positive. I have a very good squad, and to win trophies, you need a full squad. I’m very happy to have that squad. I would prefer to play with more space between games, but this is our schedule, and we must be ready to play at the highest level in the upcoming schedule,” said Lobera.