Here’s what Lobera said ahead of FC Goa’s crunch semifinal clash

by Prajkta Tagelly March 6, 2019

Goa, March 6, 2019: Under the reins of Sergio Lobera, FC Goa will be playing in the playoffs for the second
consecutive season. The club has come a long way from the third season where they finished at the
bottom of the table. Along the way, the Gaurs have been able to etch their mark on the league in terms
of their style of play whilst toppling records.

A team known for their flair going forward, FC Goa has set the benchmark in terms of goals scored by a
team in a single season (43) thanks to Coro, who bagged himself 18, and thus creating a record for goals
scored by a player in a single season.

The second season saw the Gaurs move into the next gear. Not only had the team finished with the
highest number of goals, the best goal difference and the best home record, but also topped the league
in terms of clean sheets.

And Sergio Lobera has no doubts in stating as to where all the credit should go. “It’s the players who
have to be given the credit. They are the real stars and the ones who bring to life our style of play,”
stated Lobera in the post-match press conference following the last league game.

The FC Goa stars have truly delivered, again!

The message

Standing behind the team always has been a wall of orange. Goa’s love for football has yet again shone
through this season as the Fatorda Stadium has been packed to the rafters for most of the games.

Meanwhile, the away trips have also seen fans from across the state travel to cheer on their favourite
names.

Sergio Lobera has time and again stated the importance of the fans in the success of the team.

Talking about the fans ahead of the semi-finals, Sergio Lobera stated, “The only word I want to say to
the fans is ‘thank you.’ All the travels they undertake and trips they make; I know doesn’t come cheap.

But with them there, we never feel alone.

“This year, I think we have been able to give our supporters a lot many reasons to smile,” Lobera added.

“Now I have only one request to make to the fans. In the second leg of the semi-final, in the game we
play at home, I want it to be completely packed and full.

“I know fully well that the game is not on a weekend but on a weekday but I would still request our
supporters to make an effort to come to the stadium.”

The FC Goa style of play has found a soft corner not only in the hearts of fans around India but also
across the league with managers of other teams also appreciating the flair with which the Gaurs take to
the field.

John Gregory recently claimed the Gaurs to be favorites to win the title while Nelo Vingada came into
the Goa dressing following the win over Kerala Blasters to congratulate the team he feels “is the best I
have come up against”.

However, no longer wet behind the ear, the Gaurs as well as Sergio Lobera know that the playoffs are a
totally different ball game. But, with the fans behind the team, everything is possible.

About FC Goa
FC Goa is a professional football club based out of Goa that competes in the Indian Super League. The
club is one of the most consistently successful teams in the competition. The Gaurs have reached the
semis in two occasions and the final in 2015. FC Goa is currently the highest scoring side in league
history.

Co-owned by Mr Jaydev Mody, Mr Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Mr Ashish Kapadia, Mr Akshay Tandon and
MrViratKohli, the club has over the years produced talents such as Mandar Rao Desai, Princeton Rebello
and Manvir Singh who have represented India at various age levels as well as the senior team.

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