Felt a connect with Carlos, he has a clear roadmap for FC Goa’s success: Gouramangi

Times of India | 1 day ago | 24-07-2022 | 11:27 am

PANAJI: When FC Goa chief coach Carlos Pena showed up on that video call with the club’s director of football, Ravi Puskur, assistant coach candidate Gouramangi Singh didn’t know what to expect. The former AIFF Player-of-the-Year has had a long career as an international. At one time, he was India’s most expensive defender, but his only coaching assignment was at FC Bengaluru United, in the third-tier of Indian football. Pena, though, put him at ease. “He told me, ‘this is not an interview, I just want to understand your thoughts about football and coaching’,” said Gouramangi. Then they started talking. Once they were done and logged out of the video call, the Spanish coach gave his nod to the signing. Club officials too were left in no doubt that they had made the right choice, even though the former India defender was making quite a jump. “I will not be new to this environment. Wherever you go, the dynamics of the dressing room don’t change, and I’ve been part of different dressing rooms with club and country, as player and coach, over the years. “After speaking with Carlos for the last couple of weeks where there has been official sharing of thoughts, I understand completely the coach’s point of views. He is a thorough professional and takes care of the smallest details. I really mean the smallest (detail). He has a clear roadmap on how we have to take this team forward. I am looking forward to the season,” said Gouramangi. The former FCBU assistant coach could also connect with Pena, who retired as player with FC Goa in 2020 and returns as coach two years later. Gouramangi, admittedly, wasn’t the quickest or the strongest defender during his playing days, but stayed ahead of his competitors by understanding the game better. You could say the same about Pena, among the smarter students of the game. “I felt some kind of connect. Both of us come from the same background, so it was easy to understand his language. The clear thought process helped,” he said. Pena has already got the players to work on their physical fitness, ahead of the official pre-season next month. Gouramangi is looking forward to the start. First, of course, so that he can meet everyone in person, and then there is the small matter of reuniting with his “friends and family” in Goa. After all, Gouramangi, now 36, spent a majority of his time as player in Goa. His best years too, with stints at Dempo SC (2004-05), Sporting Clube de Goa (2006-07) and Churchill Brothers (2007-12) where he won all the top trophies which included National Football League, I-League and Federation Cup. “I carry lot of fond memories,” said Gouramangi. “I have friends and family in Goa, who I know for almost 20 years. I got so many messages after the announcement. It was nice to hear from people who helped me establish my career. “Dempo, for example, signed me when I was a nobody. I had my fair share of troubles. It took me about three years to find my feet and establish myself as a player. I must say Goa has given me a lot and I will forever be grateful to the people and clubs in Goa,” he said. The Manipur-based footballer amassed over 70 appearances for the national team and was part of one of the more successful Indian squads in recent times, winning the Nehru Cup twice (2007 and 2009), besides the AFC Challenge Cup and SAFF Cup in 2008. His initiation into coaching also started during his successful days as player. “I have to give credit to Savio Medeira sir for getting me to think about coaching. When he was part of the national team and we were travelling a lot, one evening when we were walking back to the hotel, he asked me. ‘Have you thought about what you would do after you hang your boots? When you go back home, spend time coaching the kids and see if you enjoy that. “I have no idea why he said that. I took it seriously and got my coaching licences while still a player. When Richard (Hood) was taking up a new project at FC Bengaluru United, he asked me to join him and I have good memories from there. We learned and grew as coaches,” said Gouramangi. The Indian Super League is not new to Gouramangi. He spent three seasons in the league, first with Chennaiyin FC and then FC Pune City. His first game was against Goa, a 2-1 win at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Now he returns to the top tier, and Goa, this time in a new avatar.

Read more

Share:

Similar News

Whatever I do on the field, it’s for my club: Edu Bedia

Times of India | 1 month ago | 16-06-2022 | 02:40 am

Times of India

1 month ago | 16-06-2022 | 02:40 am

Panaji: It was love at first sight for Edu Bedia in India. During his first month here when pre-season was still in progress, the FC Goa midfielder walked up to his friend and teammate Manuel Lanzarote to tell him that he was in love with Goa. The football and style, he said, was good, the place, even better. “I want to play here for ten years,” said Bedia, just 27 when he made the move from Real Zaragoza to FC Goa in 2017. Lanzarote laughed. “He said I’m crazy,” remembers Edu. It was Lanzarote who recommended Edu to the club, having played together in Spain. But while the attacking midfielder with a magical left foot lasted just a year at Goa and two in India – besides a short spell at Chennaiyin FC – Bedia is going strong, now into his sixth season at FC Goa, a record for any foreign player in the Indian Super League (ISL). “I had played seven years in second division in Spain and wanted a change in my career,” Edu told TOI during an online interaction on Wednesday. “I spoke to my wife and we decided to make the shift to India. I had a two-year contract and thought I would come back (home) at the end of it.” Bedia has now signed his third contract, and though, for the first time in his career, it’s just for one season, he knows it’s all in his hands to ensure that he finishes his playing career at the club where he has now spent the maximum years. “I told Ravi (Puskur, director of football) many times (last season). I want to play only in FC Goa. If not, I’ll try to get another offer from a club in Spain. After this, I am going to play only in FC Goa,” said Bedia. The Spanish midfielder is adored by Goa fans. He’s loyal to the club, protects the ball like his life depends on it, fights from start to finish and has the rare ability to wriggle out of tight situations on the field. A team man to the core, he once played despite two fractured ribs. For all the love that Bedia receives in Goa, he is equally disliked by rival fans, even neutrals. He’s the classic pantomime villain who will feign injury, waste time, pull you back and, if needed, even get into a fight. The alleged biting controversy – where he successfully defended himself -- made it worse. “I know, I know,” said Edu, when reminded of the negative image. “I play for my team, my teammates, for FC Goa fans. I don't play for other fans, other teams, other players. Sometimes I don't like (what I am doing), but you have to kill time, create a little fight to finish the game and ensure you have the maximum points. “If, for example, in minute 85, we are up one-nil and have suffered a lot in this moment, my job is to ensure that we keep the score. I know not everyone likes, but these things are important in professional football. You have to do this for your club.” It’s going to be a new innings at Goa this season for Bedia. The former captain continues for the sixth year and will now be coached by his friend and former teammate, Carlos Pena. Having retired just two years ago, some may feel the former Goa defender does not have enough experience of coaching at the top. Bedia, however, has been left in no doubt that his former teammate will measure up to the challenge. “Carlos has been my teammate for three years (in Goa and Spain). I know him as a player, not as coach, but can say he is probably the most professional player I have played with. I have spoken to him (after he became coach) and I know exactly what he wants. He is very, very professional. It’s a huge advantage that he knows the players, knows the league, knows other teams, knows Indian football. “People speak that he does not have experience as coach. He was a player for 15 years in Spain, in the best league, in first and second division. You don’t need more experience than that,” said Bedia. Bedia and Pena have been friends for a long time, but their friendship, he feels, won’t be an impediment to the team’s success on and off the field. “Carlos and me are both very good professionals. We know to change the switch and separate friendship from professionalism. It’s normal in Europe. I always give my 100 percent. But with Carlos as coach, I want to give more than 100 percent. I play for myself, my club, teammates, but I play for Carlos too now. He’s the perfect coach for Goa’s new beginning,” said Bedia.

Edu Bedia will be an asset for FC Goa: Puskur

Times of India | 1 month ago | 15-06-2022 | 02:40 am

Times of India

1 month ago | 15-06-2022 | 02:40 am

Panaji: Edu Bedia will at FC Goa for the sixth consecutive season, a record for any foreign player in the Indian Super League (ISL). The Spanish midfielder joined the club in 2017 and has continued since then with all players who joined with him either retiring or moving to other clubs. “Edu brings a wealth of experience with him and we expect him to be a bridge between the existing crop of players and the new ones coming in,” said FC Goa’s director of football Ravi Puskur. “He’s been a key player for us for the past two seasons and given the significant changes we’ve made in the coaching staff and foreign players this year, he will be an asset with his knowhow and familiarity with the league.” In nearly five years, Bedia has made 102 appearances for FC Goa across all competitions, notching 13 goals and as many assists during this period. “FC Goa is more than just a club in my career,” said Bedia. “Goa and the fans have been an important part of my life. I am delighted to be back with the team “It has been a pleasure for me to complete various personal milestones and also to win laurels with the club. However, I believe this coming season will be my most important at the club and I fully believe we will be back amongst the top teams in the ISL.”

Princeton extends stay with FC Goa for two more years

Times of India | 1 month ago | 11-06-2022 | 01:03 am

Times of India

1 month ago | 11-06-2022 | 01:03 am

Panaji: FC Goa are betting big on Princeton Rebello who has now signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2024.Since joining in 2017, everyone at the club has been left in no doubt that the Betalbatim youngster is a special talent.The midfielder caught the eye of Juan Ferrando who joined FC Goa in 2020. The coach even preferred Princeton over the experienced Lenny Rodrigues, and even though the Spaniard left to join ATK Mohun Bagan midway into last season, Princeton’s importance hasn’t been lost on anyone.“Princeton has always been earmarked as someone with the potential to make it big, not just for club but also country,” said director of football Ravi Puskur. “The last two seasons have seen him gain some valuable minutes on the pitch and the intention is to build on that.“We have identified a clear career path for him and it’s imperative now that he makes the step up and makes himself a player that goes into reckoning for the national team. We have high expectations of him and with the coaching staff on board to help his progression, we hope to see him take that leap to the next level.”Princeton, 23, understands the expectations and is keen to make it count.“I am really looking forward to the coming seasons and working towards making an impact in the side. I hope to stay for a long time to come and achieve lots of success with the club,” he said. A member of the first FC Goa development team in 2017, Princeton was one of the key players of the team that won the Goa Pro League in 2018-19. The India U-23 international was also instrumental in helping Goa finish unbeaten in their inaugural challenge in the Durand Cup 2019. He made his debut in the ISL the same year.“This is a huge moment of pride for me and my family. I joined FC Goa five years ago with the goal of getting better each day and eventually playing in the first team one day. That has been my reality for two seasons now but I’m aware that I’ve got lots left to do,” said Princeton.

From December, one in five matches fixed in Goa Pro League

Times of India | 2 months ago | 30-04-2022 | 01:57 am

Times of India

2 months ago | 30-04-2022 | 01:57 am

Panaji: International betting monitoring agencies have red-flagged 12 matches in the Goa Pro League for anomalous betting, including one game that was played on Tuesday. Since December when the first red flag was raised, agencies have been busy tracking suspicious betting patterns with 12 of the 68 games red-flagged and two others classified as Amber II. Red-flagged games are those that have “something genuinely concerning about the betting”, while Amber II are those with enough evidence to suggest that the betting and/or match action was possibly abnormal from an integrity perspective. London-based Sportradar, who has a partnership with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in the field of integrity, specifically addressing match-fixing, has informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of three games played in December that threw up alarming results. For all three games played between December 13 and December 29 last year, Sportradar said in its report, “there is clear and overwhelming evidence that the course or result of this match was unduly influenced with a view to gain corrupt betting profits.” These games include Dempo SC vs Calangute Association (4-0), YC Manora vs Dempo (0-4) and Velsao SCC vs Sporting Clube de Goa (0-5). For these games, evidence indicated that bettors held prior knowledge of Calangute, Manora and Velsao all losing the first half and eventually the game. Significantly, Genius Sports, integrity partners of the Goa Football Association (GFA) who organise the league, also red-flagged the three games, besides another clash between FC Goa and Manora which the former won 2-0 on December 30. As exclusively reported by TOI on Thursday, Genius Sports raised the red flag for six games played between March 15 and March 24, 2022. The latest report from the UK-headquartered company examined 21 games this month, two of which were asked to be investigated for possible match-fixing. The games include Vasco’s 0-4 loss against Salgaocar on April 21 and Velsao’s 1-3 loss against Manora on April 26. “The sustained and successful wagering in opposition of Vasco could not be explained due to its timing and volume, as well as the behaviour of the major Asian bookmakers trading the game. “This fixture triggered an alert due to considerable pre-match and live betting support for Salgaocar, firstly to win and then to extend their lead in-play. There was also significant volume of betting support for at least three goals to be scored before kick-off, and then for at least four goals at 0-1. As the match ended 0-4 (in favour of Salgaocar), this wagering was successful and highly concerning from an integrity standpoint,” Genius said in its confidential report. Another match played on Tuesday between Velsao and Manora – both featuring in a significant number of ‘Red’ reported matches – saw “highly-anomalous and concerning betting.” All attempts in match-fixing are towards a team losing with players paid to underperform. GFA president Churchill Alemao said rise in red-flagged matches was highly concerning for Goan football. “Goa is known the world over for its football. It was (former chief minister) Manohar Parrikar who made football the state sport (in 2012), something that no other state has done. I feel the best solution is to ask the police to investigate,” said Alemao. The GFA executive committee is meeting early next week to give the president the green signal to submit the confidential reports and match footage, wherever available, to Goa police. RED-FLAGGED MATCHES Dec 13: Dempo vs Calangute, 4-0 Dec 16: Manora vs Dempo, 0-4 Dec 29: Velsao vs Sporting, 0-5 Dec 30: FC Goa vs Manora, 2-0 March 15: Guardian Angel vs Dempo, 0-4 March 15: Sesa FA vs Velsao 5-1 March 18: YC Manora vs Velsao, 0-3 March 21: Velsao vs Calangute, 1-5 March 21: Manora vs Sporting Clube 0-5 March 24: Manora vs Salgaocar, 1-4 April 21: Vasco vs Salgaocar, 0-4 April 26: Velsao vs Manora, 1-3

I know the league, club and players, its an advantage for me: Carlos Pena

Times of India | 3 months ago | 17-04-2022 | 12:57 am

Times of India

3 months ago | 17-04-2022 | 12:57 am

Have FC Goa taken a risk by appointing a coach without experience or played it safe by appointing someone who knows the club and the league? We will not know until about four or five months into next season, but given Carlos Pena’s two-year stint at the club between 2018 and 2020, he will know what is expected of him. The newly-appointed Spanish coach, a UEFA Pro licence holder, spoke exclusively to TOI about his return. Excerpts from an interview… Having retired as player with FC Goa only two years ago, did you expect to return so soon? One of the reason I retired was to start a new path as coach. I was very clear that I wanted to become a coach and worked towards it during the later stages of my playing career. I was learning, obtaining my coaching licenses when I was still a player. Nobody can time things. I started coaching young players (in Spain) because you have to make a start somewhere and now my time with FC Goa has come. I am fully prepared. I have learned many things as a professional footballer. Of course, if I arrived here as coach in 10 more years, I would be more experienced, but for sure I am ready now and will do my best. At FC Goa, you will meet many players who were your teammates. How do you convince them that you are now the coach? We have to build a new relationship. We have fought together as teammates and now we will fight again, me in a new role as coach and they in the same role as players. That should not be a problem. Infact, I have an advantage since I know them. I know their potential, what they are capable of, how they react inside the dressing room. My goal is to make the players better. What about the lack of coaching experience? You never have enough experience. When I feel that I know everything, I will retire. My goal is to improve day by day. Of course I don’t have experience of coaching a senior team because I am 38 years old and I have been a professional footballer for 15-20 years. If I returned to Goa as a 60-year-old, maybe things would have changed by then. Maybe at that moment, I wouldn’t know what the ISL is all about. Look at other coaches who come to India. It’s a big challenge for them because they don’t know the league, they don’t know the country. I may not have the experience in some areas, but I have a lot of experience as a footballer. It’s time to work and I will try and change opinions of those who feel I lack the experience of coaching at the senior level. Are you being judged too soon? I know how football works. When I signed for some teams after I was 30, maybe some people thought I was too old to play football. Now I have signed as a coach and maybe some think I am too young. I don’t fight against people’s opinions. I only try to do the best and, hopefully, change opinions. What are your observations about Goa since you left? I think the first season (2020-21) was a good season, qualifying for the semis and being eliminated by Mumbai (City) only on penalties. They were very close to fighting for the title with new coach, new players. After that, Goa did very well in the AFC Champions League. This season, the influence of the coach (Juan Ferrando) leaving was tough. It’s not easy when you are in the bio-bubble and the coach leaves. The new coach has little time to adapt. There were injuries too. But all this is what I observed from the outside. What can fans expect from you as coach at FC Goa? As a player, I enjoyed having the ball, trying to attack, keeping possession, being part of an offensive team. This is how I see and feel football. I like teams that try to recover the ball fast, attack. This is how I’ve enjoyed football and this is the way I will make Goa play. I have no doubt that we will build a strong team, work with the values of FC Goa which I am fully aware. It’s time to look to the future. From among the coaches that you have trained with in the past, who has had the biggest influence? I won’t be fair if I take just one name. There have been great coaches like (Louis) van Gaal, (Frank) Rijkaard, Rubi (now coaching UD Almeira). I have had many coaches and I have learnt many things from all of them.

More News

Latest News