look news india
Goa, September 17 (HS). When FC Goa take on Jamshedpur FC in their first Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 match this evening, the hosts Gaurs will aim to continue their dominance over the Red Miners. The match will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
FC Goa missed out on the top spot by just three points last season and finished third. The Manolo Marquez-led Gaurs will be looking to start their season with a win, as they have done on the last five occasions.
Jamshedpur FC, under the tutelage of head coach Khalid Jamil, will look to beat FC Goa this time as they are winless in their last four matches against the Gaurs. The Red Miners have lost the last two matches and another defeat will worsen their situation. It will bring back memories of their four consecutive defeats last season.
FC Goa's Spanish head coach Manolo Marquez is avoiding thinking too far ahead. “I will take one match at a time because thinking too far ahead is not good. Most opponents have very different styles. We have to play the match in the right way. We will start from scratch and play strongly to win the match,” he said in the pre-match press conference.
Sandesh Jhingan was out of the field for most of the last season due to injury and wants to return and win the ISL Shield this time. He would like to strengthen the backline with Spanish defender Odei Onaindia. He said, “We will be contenders this season too, that is our goal. But it will be a long season and sometimes you miss out on three points. I have also lost the league due to goal difference.”
Khalid Jamil is credited with leading NorthEast United to the ISL playoffs in the past and he would like to repeat the feat with Jamshedpur FC as well. With a team full of experienced and young players, Jamil will have the best chance to prove what an Indian coach can do.
He said, “We need a good start. Without this the journey ahead will be difficult. We have adequate preparation. We now need to play with confidence and the players have to take responsibility. We should think positively.”