Alvaro Vazquez is determined to turn around FC Goa’s fortunes this season

by Chittu Shetty September 30, 2022

Alvaro Vazquez may be a new face at FC Goa, but he is already confident of achieving success with the Gaurs this season.

With the table-toppers of the Indian Super League (ISL) being handed the League Winners’ Shield and a place in the AFC Champions League play-offs, the Spaniard will don the Orange with the chance of fighting for three trophies (with the ISL Trophy and the Super Cup also up for grabs).

“I like to think that we are going to lift at least two trophies by the end of this season, and this hunger for success is what I use to motivate myself and my teammates,” stated Vazquez, in a recent conversation.

”Personally, I don’t want FC Goa to have the results of last season. Hence, I’m quite demanding with everyone, I want to win even in training and I feel that should be the mentality of the whole team.”

It has not been long since the 31-year-old got his introduction to Indian football, but he is already a household name among the fans of the sport in the country. The Spaniard played every match for Kerala Blasters last season, and scored eight times as he led their charge to the final- their first one in five seasons.

Later, during the summer, the former Espanyol striker shifted base to FC Goa, and it was not surprising to see why. The club have been vocal about how they tried to get him on their books prior to last season itself.

It was a move that made sense in many ways for both Vazquez and Goa, the Spaniard opined. 

“FC Goa has always had a strong style with the ball. The aggression up front adds to this style, and it helped them get the goals that made them one of the strongest and most consistent sides in the ISL over the years.,” the forward explained.

“It’s what I’ve gotten used to right from my earliest playing days in Spain.”

‘Salvador do Mundo is a special place’

It has been over three months since signing with the club, and based on his own statements, he has bonded well with his new teammates and the coaching staff, and enjoys the sessions at the Salvador do Mundo Panchayat Ground, the club’s training facility.

“We (the players) speak to each other and we know how everyone missed being able to train on the pitch together. Doing so always helps, because we really get to know each other and understand each other – and now, I’m glad that we’re getting the opportunity here.

“At Salvador do Mundo, I feel better every time I step onto the training ground. It’s a special place, wonderful to train and my teammates make the experience even more enjoyable,” he added.

Vazquez also described how a regular day of training looks like for FC Goa’s first-team players. “We start training at 5:15 pm every day. During my earlier days in Spain, England and so on, we used to train in the mornings. Here in India, we do it in the afternoons and evenings, so I had to change my usual routine.

“It’s different because one has to think about breakfast and lunch based on training requirements – but it’s not hard,” the Spaniard went on.

The former Spain junior international concluded with a parting message for the fans. “I receive messages all the time from the fans, and it’s sensational that they are always supporting us. This season will be a great one for all FC Goa fans,” he signed off.

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