FC Goa new coach Juan Ferrando will need to iron out memories of Sergio, with creditable signings

FC Goa announced Juan Ferrando as the new coach to take over Sergio Lobera and the new Spanish boss will need to start by getting to together a team capable of riding on the pride created by other Indian teams in the Asian Football Council (AFC) Champions League.

FC Goa finished on top of the Indian Super League (ISL) after the unexplained exit of Sergio and Juan’s first task will be to assemble a team together with only two foreign players having been retained – Hugo Boumous and Edu Bedia.

With the world battling an epidemic and there being no certainty on when the Indian Super League (ISL) or any sport is primed to start, Juan has time on his shoulders. Apart from signing foreign players, FC Goa will need to find good Indian players as the AFC Champions League permits only four foreign players.

Brandon Fernandes and Lenny Rodrigues are two good players FC Goa has, having lost Jackichand who was one of their best Indian signings last season. Jacki was a constant menacing threat on the flanks.

Ferrando , according to an FC Goa release, began working as a football coach at the age of 18.

 “I am so incredibly excited to become part of the FC Goa family. I have been greatly impressed by the Club's emphasis on their vision and style of play and I would like to thank the club for giving me this opportunity.

“I have heard a lot about Goa's passion for football. Together, with support from all the fans, we hope to play good football, and do our best to bring success to the club,” are quotes attributed to the coach by the club.

The 39-year-old began his career with the academy at RCD Espanyol before moving to Barcelona B for his Practicum. He then coached the likes of FC RICOH Premià, Terrassa CF and CE Hospitalet before moving to Malaga, to become the coach of the youth team.

Taking charge of FC Sheriff in Moldova in 2013, he led the team to a win in the Super Cup. Under his tutelage, the club reached the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. In the Europa League the same season, they eventually finished 2 points shy of qualifying to the knockout stage from a group that contained Tottenham and Anzhi Makhachkala.

He then went on to take charge of Spanish sides CyD Leonesa and Linares before moving to Greece in 2017 to take charge of the newly formed Volos FC in the Third Division. There, under his command, the club gained two promotions in as many seasons and has ever since been playing in the Greek Super League.

A UEFA Pro License holder, Ferrando was awarded the award for ‘Best Coach’ in 2017/18 by the Greek Football Association for his work at Volos, concludes the FC Goa release.

FC Goa has not been able to retain their star striker Ferran Corominas (Coro) who lit up the ISL with his impressive statistics in his three years with the club and have not managed to hold on to Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena- the two pillars of their defense- with the latter  hanging up his boots.

Ahmed Jahouh , according to reliable sources , was looking for a two year contract or an increment and his inability to convince his team has left him looking for fresher pastures. Though he scored one goal in his time with FC Goa, he was the mainstay of the team last season when it made its second final appearance – the first under the new management.

Establishing a predictable strike force and a reliable defense will be the main priorities of the new coach Juan whose other focus will be to fit in the shoes left by Sergio who had developed a good rapport with the fans through his style of play and most importantly results.

Goa has the best antidote in 36th National Games for COVID-19

Sports will be one of the best antidote to get life on the mainstream once the pandemic is roped in under control and Goa will be one of the few States to captialise through the 36^th National Games  whose hosting dates – presently earmarked for October 20 to November 4 , 2020- still being discussed .

There is still unertainity of whether the National Games will be held on schedule ; whether  they will be postponed ; or whether they will be cancelled. Whatever the outcome , The Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by CEO Ashok Kumar , has kept the organistaional wings rolling despite the pandemic hiccups.

“Despite the grim situation , I would like to assure that the Government of Goa and the Organising Committee is working alongside to attend to all the National Games related matters with the commitmment it deserves,” Ashok Kumar wrote to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta on April 27,2020.

“The hosting of the National Games had come up for discussions with authorities and it has been internally decided to proceed with all required arrangements till 31/05/2020, post which , after assesing the COVID-19 situation , at that point in time, and in consultation with IOA , a suitable decision could be arrived on the conduct of the Games , for which the assured participation by qualified teamswill be the single most important factor,” concludes the letter.

The National Games was first to be hosted in 2008 and has been posponed since on a number of occasions with the State being responsible in the past and the IOA having a hand in the delay recently. The frequesnt delays has not gone well in the eyes of the public and the LOC does not want to be caught in a web of postponement again.

 “With there being no clarity on whether the National Games are to be held or not we are proceeding with the process  of getting prepared . COVID -19 had left the country in a uncertainity. We have not been intimated by IOA whether the National Games are to be postponed or not. We are not ready to take any chances in these cu=ircumstances,” Ashok Kumar , CEO told this writer over the phone.

In a circular issued to the stake holders of the36th  National  Games the CEO had stated: “ The Governemnt also observes that in a number of states with the measures implemented at present , the situation is being controlled if not entirely overcome. Considering the scenario , at this juncture it may be impulsive to think on a postponement , as the duration of this fight against the virus is unknown or unpredictable.”

“The Government is holding discussions with the concerned stake holders and is considering all possible developments and a positive resolution would evolve in around five weeks from today ,” stated the letter signed by Kumar on April 23,2020.

“The idea is not to be caught on the wrong foot if the IOA decides that the 36^th National Games should be held on schedule or on a new date assigned to us. The idea is to be ready . The Government has been accused of not being prepared before . We do not want to be caught on the wrong foot,” said Ashok Kumar .

“Given the dilemma, the Functional Aea Head as active stake holders are also required to cooperate and as practical as possible invite RFPs/EOIs that have been approved , which is entirely independent to the dates of the hosting,so that there is no further delay in procurement of goods and services. Further, other planning and processes may also continue and the RFPs/EOIsyet to be drafted may be proceeded with,”

 “ If things improve , which all of us hope and are working hard for and the IOA decides that the Games should be held on the stipulated days , we do not want to be caught of guard. The circular clearly asks all involved  not to drop their guard unless we are officially instructed,” concluded Ashok Kumar.