Panaji: FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez is expecting a difficult ride for his side in the second half of the Indian Super League (ISL).
Goa is the only unbeaten team in the ISL so far with 24 points from their first 10 matches. The team has been impressive, winning seven of their games in the first phase. But the Spanish coach knows the second leg, starting Wednesday with an away clash against Hyderabad FC, will not be easy.
“It’s always more difficult in the second half,” Manolo told TOI during the pre-match media interaction on Tuesday.“Since there is no relegation, it might be a bit different. When you play the last three-four games, and maybe you have to play teams who can make it to the top six, it will be different. But, from my experience I can tell, it’s always more difficult to win (games) in the second leg than the first. This competitiveness will be good for us.”
Manolo will have to play the second half of the ISL without Victor Rodriguez, Goa’s influential foreign player, who has been ruled out of the season with an injury. India centre-back Sandesh Jhingan also faces a long spell on the sidelines after his injury at the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.
Goa have secured the services of Spaniard Borja Herrera on loan from East Bengal till the end of season. The attacking midfielder spent last season under Manolo at Hyderabad FC and had a previous stint under him at Las Palmas in LaLiga, so the experienced Spanish coach knows what to expect from a player who can play in multiple positions.
“Technically, Borja is a very good player, very good left footer and can play in lot of positions: left back, centre mid, winger, attacking mid. He’s a complete player, always positive and very good in the group. He is good with set-piece delivery and can shoot from outside the box. Last season with Hyderabad, he did well, playing in lot of positions, scoring goals and providing assists.
“I think he’s a complete player. He is not the same style as Victor, but different kind of player. When you sign a player in the middle of the season, you need to be sure that the player is the one that you need. It’s safer for me to sign a player that I know,” explained Manolo.
Goa is the only unbeaten team in the ISL so far with 24 points from their first 10 matches. The team has been impressive, winning seven of their games in the first phase. But the Spanish coach knows the second leg, starting Wednesday with an away clash against Hyderabad FC, will not be easy.
“It’s always more difficult in the second half,” Manolo told TOI during the pre-match media interaction on Tuesday.“Since there is no relegation, it might be a bit different. When you play the last three-four games, and maybe you have to play teams who can make it to the top six, it will be different. But, from my experience I can tell, it’s always more difficult to win (games) in the second leg than the first. This competitiveness will be good for us.”
Manolo will have to play the second half of the ISL without Victor Rodriguez, Goa’s influential foreign player, who has been ruled out of the season with an injury. India centre-back Sandesh Jhingan also faces a long spell on the sidelines after his injury at the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.
Goa have secured the services of Spaniard Borja Herrera on loan from East Bengal till the end of season. The attacking midfielder spent last season under Manolo at Hyderabad FC and had a previous stint under him at Las Palmas in LaLiga, so the experienced Spanish coach knows what to expect from a player who can play in multiple positions.
“Technically, Borja is a very good player, very good left footer and can play in lot of positions: left back, centre mid, winger, attacking mid. He’s a complete player, always positive and very good in the group. He is good with set-piece delivery and can shoot from outside the box. Last season with Hyderabad, he did well, playing in lot of positions, scoring goals and providing assists.
“I think he’s a complete player. He is not the same style as Victor, but different kind of player. When you sign a player in the middle of the season, you need to be sure that the player is the one that you need. It’s safer for me to sign a player that I know,” explained Manolo.