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Under the tutelage of Sergio Lobera, FC Goa will be playing in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The club has come a long way from the disastrous third season where they finished bottom of the table. Along the way, the Gaurs have been able to etch their mark on the league in terms of their style of play whilst toppling records left, right and centre.
A team known for their flair going forward, FC Goa has set the benchmark in terms of goals scored by a team in a single season (43) thanks to Coro, who bagged himself 18, and thus creating a record for goals scored by a player in a single season.
The second season has seen the Gaurs move into the next gear. Not only has the team finished with the highest number of goals, the best goal difference and the best home record, but also top the league in terms of clean sheets.
And Sergio Lobera has no doubts in stating as to where all the credit should go. “It’s the players who have to be given the credit. They are the real stars and the ones who bring to life our style of play,” stated Lobera in the post-match press conference following the last league game.
The FC Goa stars have truly delivered, again.
Sergio Lobera's message
Standing behind the team always has been a wall of orange. Goa’s love for football has yet again shone through this season as the Fatorda has been packed to the rafters for most of the games.
Meanwhile, the away trips have also seen fans from across the state travel to sing songs for their favourite team and cheer on their favourite names.
Sergio Lobera has time and again stated the importance of the fans in the success of the team.
Talking about the fans ahead of the semi-finals, Sergio Lobera stated, “The only word I want to say to the fans is ‘thank you.’ All the travels they undertake and trips they make, I know doesn’t come cheap. But with them there, we never feel alone.
“This year, I think we have been able to give our supporters a lot many reasons to smile,” Lobera added. “Now I have only one request to make to the fans. In the second leg of the semi-final, in the game we play at home, I want it to be completely packed and full.
“I know fully well that the game is not on a weekend but on a weekday but I would still request our supporters to make an effort to come to the stadium.”
The FC Goa style of play has found a soft corner not only in the hearts of fans around India but also across the league with managers of other teams also appreciating the flair with which the Gaurs take to the field.
John Gregory recently claimed the Gaurs to be favourites to win the title while Nelo Vingada came into the Goa dressing following the win over Kerala Blasters to congratulate the team he feels ‘is the best I have come up against’.
However, no longer wet behind the ear, the Gaurs as well as Sergio Lobera know that the playoffs are a totally different ball game. But, with our fans behind us, we know everything is possible.
