FC Goa aims for Super Cup glory after heartbreaking ISL playoff exit

Panaji: FC Goa have had a good season so far, winning the Bandodkar Memorial Trophy, staying alive in the race for the Indian Super League (ISL) Shield till the end, and then giving a good account of themselves in the second-leg semifinal against Bengaluru FC, only to be knocked out of the playoffs by a lethal Sunil Chhetri at the death.

It was a blow that left Goa devastated. When coach Manolo Marquez entered the dressing room he felt “like someone’s dead.” There was understandably funeral silence. “It was very painful, but last season hurt us more when Mumbai (City) scored three goals in injury time

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” Manolo told TOI during the pre-match media interaction on Sunday. “This time, I feel the connection between the crowd and the players was excellent. I think we played a great game.” The experienced Spanish coach is now hoping that the hunger to win a trophy will reflect in his team’s performance at the Super Cup , a tricky knockout tournament that has no extra time till the final, if teams are tied during regulation time.

“Maybe our performance (in the ISL) will be good for the Super Cup. Let's see, because you never know (what happens in) football. It’s very dangerous to speak before the correct moment. But I feel we can have a great Super Cup,” said Manolo. Goa face Gokulam Kerala in their opening game on Monday at 4.30pm.

It’s, like Manolo reminded everyone, “a difficult and dangerous game,” against a side that won six of their last eight matches in the I-League and, should they have won the other two, could have been crowned champions at a time when everything was lost for them. For Manolo, the Super Cup is an important tournament, higher in significance than the ISL playoffs .

After all, there’s a continental spot on offer. “I know that in Goa everyone wants to win the ISL trophy, but if you ask me, I prefer to win the Super Cup because finally only the winner of the regular season, that was Mohun Bagan, and the winner of the Super Cup, will play in Asia next season.

We want to play in Asia. Our defeat in the ISL semis was not fair, but now we are focused on the Super Cup,” said Manolo. Winning the Super Cup won’t be easy. There’s Gokulam Kerala to take care of in the opener, while Mohun Bagan, Kerala Blasters, Odisha FC and Punjab FC all lie in wait in the top half of the draw.

Gokulam Kerala are just one of the two I-League teams taking part in the Super Cup. But while they may not be among the favourites to go far in the tournament, their competitive nature and squad quality is undeniable. “We played some quality football in the I-League (after taking over the team).

The Super Cup has India’s best football; teams, and it will be good motivation to prepare for the next season. We are ready,” said coach Renjith TA.