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FC Goa has been one of the most consistent clubs since the Indian Super League (ISL) kicked off in 2014. The Gaurs have managed to enter the playoffs on five occasions and reached the final twice. However, they haven't been able to cross the last hurdle to get their hands on the ISL trophy..
Clifford Miranda's side was beaten 4-1 by Chennaiyin FC in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on 29th February. Last season's runners-up produced a forgettable performance on the extra day of the year.
Despite the never-say-die spirit that they showed in front of their home fans, the first leg result had done too much damage. A couple of away goals from the two-time champions proved to be the undoing for Mandar Rao Dessai and Co.
Goa will be ecstatic with the AFC Champions League Group Stage qualification having garnered 39 points from 18 games in the group stage. But, they succumbed in the playoffs stage as they have done in the past and that will eat at the Gaurs.
Although they did land the shield for finishing the league stage on top, a maide ISL title would have been welcome given all their problems off the field in recent months.
They were second best against Chennaiyin FC for majority of the tie. We shall look at three reasons for FC Goa's major blip in the playoffs.
#1 Absence of Hugo Boumous, Edu Bedia, and Brandon Fernandes for the first leg
The absence of Hugo Boumous, Edu Bedia, and Brandon Fernandes made Goa toothless in attack and the Gaurs had to try and sit back while hitting their opponents on the counter attack.
Sadly, it didn't work after the half-time break as Lucian Goian, Anirudh Thapa, Eli Sabia, and Lallianzuala Chhangte completed a resounding scoreline before Saviour Gama pulled one back to give them a glimmer of hope with the second leg in stake.
The FC Goa trio has scored 14 goals in between them, with the majority coming through Hugo Boumous, who was the best player in the league campaign. It was not only their goals that they the Gaurs required, but the attacking impetus they brought to the game everytime they played together.
The trio has 18 assists. Hence, missing out on the creative outlets dealt a huge blow to them. Meaning, that their strategy failed as they failed to keep the ball and cleared whenever they had a chance to play their brand of football.
Clifford Miranda was buoyant in the post-match press conference, but deep down he would have been hurt by bad luck and untimely injury setbacks.
#2 Psychological effect playing against their bogey team Chennaiyin FC
FC Goa have been knocked out by Chennaiyin FC on a couple of occasions in the Indian Super League (ISL) playoffs before. Entering into the last couple of rounds, last season's runners-up were carrying the appetite to overcome their opponents, but the tie was by no means a foregone conclusion. It was clear that the FC Goa found the Blues to be a bogey team and let that get into their heads going into this game.
The Gaurs lost the mental test, which Chennaiyin FC passed with flying colours despite being underdogs for most of the season. Facing an in-form Chennaiyin FC is one thing. But to go up against them without Hugo Boumous, Brandon Fernandes, and Edu Bedia proved to be an uphill task after wrapping up the league title.
In order words, FC Goa have to fine tune their mental toughness to not let their head judder when they're put under pressure in crucial circumstances in the future.
#3 Owen Coyle's mastery
Owen Coyle's mastery since taking over the club shouldn't overshadow FC Goa's failure to deal with pressure and injuries. The Scottish international has turned the tables around following a miserable start under the ex-title winning manager John Gregory.
The former Bolton boss registered just a single victory from his opening four games as the Blues gaffer, but then managed to produce a drastic turnaround. Out of the previous ten games, the two-time champions managed to procure eight victories, suggesting that the Marina Machans found their groove in the closing part of the league stages and pretty evidently in the semi-finals.
FC Goa surprisingly sacked Sergio Lobera when they were at the top of the table. However, they got back to winning ways with three consecutive victories under the interim boss Clifford Miranda.
ATK and Bengaluru were the other two sides to qualify for the playoffs, but the current FC Goa boss divulged that Chennaiyin was the last side he wanted to face in the playoffs round. Such was the magnitude of Owen Coyle's turnaround at the Marina Arena.
The Blues had supreme momentum and scripted a memorable run to the playoffs, thanks to Owen Coyle's rejuvenation. His effect has taken them to Goa for the final, where they will face ATK on Saturday.
