Times of India | 2 weeks 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.
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