Easy to think everything is a disaster, but it’s not: Carlos Pena

Times of India | 3 weeks ago | 22-02-2023 | 11:30 am

Panaji: FC Goa’s hopes in the Indian Super League (ISL) are hanging by a thread, and even that could be cut off before they take the field for their concluding league clash against Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday.Should that happen, it will be a disappointing end to Goa’s campaign, another failure to make it to the playoffs, despite six teams qualifying, rather than four like all previous seasons.So how did it go wrong?Look no further than the last game at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Needing a win to keep fate in their own hands, Goa fumbled against Chennaiyin FC, losing 1-2. With other results not going their way, Carlos Pena’s side now find themselves outside the top six.“The last game at home was disappointment for us,” coach Pena said during the pre-match media interaction. “It was a very important game, but we did not manage it well. They scored first, and we played in a hurry. We could have scored in the second half but unfortunately, we conceded a penalty and didn't manage well. It was a disappointing for everyone involved with FC Goa and we need to learn from that.”Should Odisha FC manage a point against visiting Jamshedpur FC on Wednesday, Goa will be knocked out even before kick-off against Bengaluru.“It's not an ideal situation because it's not in our hands, but we have to do what is in our hands. If we still have a chance to qualify, we need to fight for that," said Pena.The Spanish coach was Goa’s big bet this season, getting the nod ahead of established coaches, simply because the club felt their former player understood the club, and its requirements, better than anyone else.Pena did start well, winning the first two games away. Goa had three wins from their first four matches, but since then, the team failed to string together a run of wins that could have made them comfortable in the race for playoffs.“Of course, as a coach I am responsible. I analyse and try to find solutions. Now it’s easy to think that everything is a disaster, but honestly, I don't think that's the case. In professional football, details make a big difference. Winning the game against Chennaiyin or scoring in the last minute against Odisha (when they had a player sent off), I think the mood would have been different," said Pena.The loss against Chennaiyin would be hard on the players too.New signing Nikhil Prabhu made his debut in the last game at home, and although it came in a losing cause, that too at the worst possible time, the central defender is counting the positives.“I love the playing style of Goa, its philosophy, and how they have provided the opportunity for a lot of youngsters. One of my strength has been playing from the back, so it feels good to be here. I have always loved the brand of football that the club has embraced.“The loss (against Chennaiyin) was hard for me personally, the team, and fans, but this is football. We need to keep going. We are not out yet, we still have a chance, and we need to go to Bengaluru and prove ourselves,” said Prabhu.

Read more

Share:

Similar News

Indian football needs right commercial model for sustainability: Shaji Prabhakaran

Times of India | 1 month ago | 08-02-2023 | 11:29 pm

Times of India

1 month ago | 08-02-2023 | 11:29 pm

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has advised top clubs in the country to invest wisely and create assets which will bring more return on investments.Clubs in the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) have been counting their losses since the first season in 2014. While the initial losses were between Rs 35-40 crore, clubs have cut down on expenditure but are still losing approximately Rs 20-25 crore a season.Kerala Blasters, despite a record revenue from sponsorship, still lost approximately Rs 12-15 crore last season.“Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges in our footballing ecosystem,” AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran told TOI during the launch of FC Goa’s ‘Fields of Dreams’ project on Tuesday. “In the short to medium term, you have to make the right investments. If we put the entire budget on the main team, that’s where the return on investment will be zero, and sometimes, negative. What we need to do is strike a balance and create assets which will bring more return on investments.“We ned to create the right commercial model which will ultimately, in 10-12 years, find sustainability. The top professional clubs are rarely there for profits. It’s more of passion. India is definitely struggling to get the right value from the market. There are solutions, but we have to be patient enough, make the right approach and make the right investments,” said Prabhakaran.FC Goa co-owner Akshay Tandon recently spoke of an “extremely inefficient” player market where one or two clubs were setting the price for all Indian players.“We must find a way to build on the positives and create a more efficient player market for the future of Indian football,” he said in a tweet last week which was publicly backed by owners of Kerala Blasters and Odisha FC.On Tuesday when the ‘Fields of Dreams’ project was launched at the St Anthony’s ground in Guirim, Tandon said sustainability of running a football club has been a lot more elusive than what everyone initially thought.“Initially, we started this with a 10-year target and now we are looking at a possible 15-year target,” Tandon told reporters. “That goalpost might keep moving. True sustainability will come the day – whether in 10 years or 15 – an Indian player is valued in millions of dollars by a European club. That is not going to happen unless the five-year olds of today start playing 35 games a season in good, organised competitions. There are no shortcuts.”

ATK Mohun Bagan ends FC Goa’s three game unbeaten run

The Indian Express | 2 months ago | 29-12-2022 | 12:40 am

The Indian Express

2 months ago | 29-12-2022 | 12:40 am

ATK Mohun Bagan snapped FC Goa’s three-match unbeaten run in the Indian Super League with a 2-1 win here on Wednesday.A first-half strike by Anwar Ali was not enough as goals by Dimitri Petratos and Hugo Boumous helped ATK Mohun Bagan reign supreme at the Saltlake Stadium here.Hosts ATK Mohun Bagan got things up and running soon after kick-off, creating their first big chance in the sixth minute itself. Dimitri Petratos pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and pulled the trigger, but missed the target with his attempt.Four minutes later, they were in the lead. Once again, it was Petratos who made the difference as he collected the ball from a throw-in, advanced through the right side and fired a shot into the near post after catching Goa shot-stopper Dheeraj Singh off his line.The Gaurs pulled one back in the 25th minute. Edu Bedia did well to deliver a dangerous ball from a free-kick which an outstretched Anwar Ali prodded into the back of the net courtesy of a delicate touch.Following the change of ends, it did not take long for the Mariners to regain the lead with ex-Gaur Hugo Boumous scoring in the 52nd minute.Ashique Kuruniyan did well to win the ball in a dangerous area before passing it across the pitch to Petratos. The Australian ddi well to look up and find Boumous at the far post to give the home side the lead once more.Following the loss, FC Goa remained at fifth place on the standings. Up next for them is a clash at home against defending champions Hyderabad FC on January 5.

Pena calls for consistency as FC Goa face bottom-placed NorthEast

Times of India | 3 months ago | 17-12-2022 | 02:40 am

Times of India

3 months ago | 17-12-2022 | 02:40 am

Panaji: With FC Goa this season, you just don’t know what to expect. They can dominate games against the strongest of opponents, like ATK Mohun Bagan at home, or are found terribly wanting, as games against Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC have suggested. With five wins from nine games, Goa are, of course, on course for a place among the top-six that will take them into the playoffs. But Pena knows this side, never mind last season’s ninth-place finish, can do a lot more. “Players now feel that we can beat anyone,” Pena told reporters during the pre-match media interaction on Friday. “We showed that against ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha. We competed against Hyderabad. But now it’s time to have more consistency, if we want to take the next step. We need to compete with the best teams in the league and we need to be consistent.” The next challenge for Goa is NorthEast United FC at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday. NorthEast have lost a record nine games in a row. They’ve lost against every opponent they played in the Indian Super League (ISL) this season, with Goa the last team they’ll face in the first leg. Pena, though, isn’t taking anything for granted, despite the team’s 3-0 win against Odisha in the previous game. “We are trying to find consistency. In the last game, I felt the team competed really well, but it’s time to repeat this performance and ensure we don’t repeat mistakes. Everyone knows NorthEast United have not won any games, but they have changed their head coach. They are trying to find the point, the first victory, and you don’t need to have any confidence to do that. Our goal for is to repeat our good performance (against Odisha), get the three points and be consistent,” said Pena. With Goa, that’s easier said than done. Since the first two games, the team has not registered two wins in a row; a loss has followed a win, sometimes two. “It’s true that in the first couple of games, we didn’t have continuity with the players, because some of them were out due to injuries and it was difficult to find a starting eleven with continuity,” explained Pena. Now, for the first time, Pena will have the full squad available for selection. It means a good selection headache, largely upfront, with Noah Sadaoui among the goals and Alvaro Vazquez finally opening his account after seven games. “Sometimes a goal can change the mood for a number nine and it will help Alvaro a lot,” said Pena. “The rest of the players were happy that he scored a goal and they want to see him happy. But now, I will have to make decision (of the starting eleven) and I am happy my forwards are scoring goals.” NorthEast United scored three goals in the first game under new coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese but conceded seven against Chennaiyin FC. The Italian coach, though, isn’t bothered with the result or the comments on social media and is instead focused on ensuring that NEUFC arrest the record losses and open their account. “I don’t think about the games lost,” said Annese. “I focus on trying to win the next game and on improving the team with a different approach. In my career, I have always worked at clubs where they have achieved something. I always try to reach the best point. “I believe in myself, and step-by-step, I will help the team reach a higher level. I honestly don’t care what people talk about the nine consecutive games that we lost. I only focus on the next game.” If the visitors need any solace, they can look at previous results. NorthEast are on a four-match unbeaten run against Goa. FC Goa have not tasted success against the Highlanders for nearly three years, having last defeated them in January, 2020. That was also the last time Goa kept a clean sheet.

Don’t want to be arrogant but things will change at NorthEast United: Annese

Times of India | 3 months ago | 17-12-2022 | 01:37 am

Times of India

3 months ago | 17-12-2022 | 01:37 am

Panaji: If he wanted, Vincenzo Alberto Annese could have continued at Gokulam Kerala FC, but having won two I-League titles in a row, there was nothing more to achieve. The Italian coach wanted a bigger challenge, a step up in his career. He knocked on a few Indian Super League (ISL) clubs’ doors, and even though there was no opening, Annese now finds himself in Indian football’s top tier in the middle of the league. It’s not ideal. His new club, NorthEast United FC, lost a record eight games in a row when he took over from Marco Balbul. After a day’s training session when he took charge against Chennaiyin FC, the result was 3-7. Yes, the Highlanders scored three – after having just four goals in first eight games -- but conceded an astonishing seven. Annese, though, remained unfazed. “I do not see it as a disappointment but as an improvement because, as a club, we scored three goals,” Annese told TOI on Friday. “The mentality after the upset took a toll, most of the game we would find criticism, but I look to improve the football day by day. Losing 7-0 or 7-3 is the same for me. “I believe a lot in myself, and step by step, I will try to reach that point with the team. I do not care what people think if we have lost nine games. I just focus on the next game. This is an important part, and this is what I want from my team. Think about what we can do in the next game.” NorthEast United are in shambles at the moment. They have lost against every opponent they have played in this season’s ISL. FC Goa would be their last opponent in the first leg. They still don’t have a point, but Annese has been left in no doubt that there will be improvements before the season ends. “I do not see much difference club by club, and any team can beat anybody in the league. We will show that things will change, and I do not want to be arrogant, but this is a process, and day by day we will improve,” said the Italian coach. Annese has been with the club for eight days now and is happy with his players. He isn’t seeking any reinforcements in the January transfer window, not just as yet, but has called for improvement in the players’ approach. “We need aggression, we have too many nice guys and we need to attack. I love to attack and to create space to attack the opponent. I want my players to fight, and if we are too soft, it will be easy for the opponent. If we do not force them to make mistakes, it will be hard to get points,” he said. NorthEast United are up against the might of FC Goa at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday. The hosts have won three of their four home games with a 3-0 margin and coach knows what to expect, particularly from a side that plays the same way, from academy, reserves to the seniors. “FC Goa are an amazing team with a great style of play. They have got great technique, and we have seen players of amazing quality, and the brand of football is good. We play in a different way, and our approach will be a bit different. There will be a different NorthEast United FC team on Saturday,” said Annese.

ISL: Similar styles, contrasting fortunes as FC Goa take on Odisha

Times of India | 3 months ago | 10-12-2022 | 02:40 am

Times of India

3 months ago | 10-12-2022 | 02:40 am

Panaji: When it was put to Carlos Pena that FC Goa have not lost a game against Odisha FC, and that his side has always won -- except last season – the coach just smiled. “I am not a fan of statistics,” he told reporters during the pre-match media interaction. There are some numbers, though, that will be on Pena’s mind ahead of Goa’s crucial clash against Odisha at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday. Goa have lost two games in a row for the first time this season, conceding six goals, less than what they conceded in the first six matches. The first loss at home was a disappointing one against Bengaluru FC, and then they were handed their heaviest defeat (1-4) in Mumbai. Pena’s side has now lost four of their last six matches. Only three other teams, all bottom placed, have fared worse. “The current moment isn’t easy for us, but I trust hundred percent in my team, and I am sure we will be able to show (against Odisha) what we can do,” Pena told TOI on Friday. “These are not good times for us. I said after winning games, we don’t have to think about the past. We have to think about the next one. I even stated after the ATK Mohun Bagan game that we shouldn’t consider ourselves as the champions or that we are the best team.” Goa played their best football against ATK Mohun Bagan at home, winning 3-0 against a star-studded side. But since then, it’s gone downhill as losses against Bengaluru at home and Mumbai away has shown. Pena admitted there is plenty of work to do. “Yes, of course, we are not happy. The games were really different. In the Bengaluru game, they defended really well and we had trouble creating chances. But the result would have been very different if we scored, but that didn’t happen. In the Mumbai game, they were better in some phases of the game. We had a very good first half, but in the second half, we were outclassed,” said the Spanish coach. Against Odisha, Goa will have to do without Edu Bedia, who remains suspended after picking up a red card against Mumbai. The Spanish midfielder is an important cog in Goa’s wheel and among the more consistent players in the team. “Edu is a big loss for us, mostly because I miss one more option to choose. We know the influence he has in our game. But I trust my squad and I’m sure the players who play in his position will have a big game,” said Pena. Odisha come to Goa with plenty of confidence, having won five of their last six matches, including three in a row. Some of them have been spectacular comebacks and coach Josep Gombau will be confident that he can definitely take something from this game. “We face a strong opposition in FC Goa on their field. We saw a lot of similarities between both teams in the way we approach the game and in the way we play. We have a lot of respect for them, but we are working very well. We have our tools to try to get a good result and get the three points,” said Gombau. Odisha are fourth on the table with 18 points after eight matches but can jump to second, equalling Mumbai, clearly the most attractive team at the moment. “We are working very hard to try and get a good result,” said Gombau. “That for us is important, and I think the boys are ready. Everybody's working hard, everyone is excited for the game.”

More News

Latest News