Durand Cup 2022: FC Goa keen to return to winning ways against Indian Air Force

Mumbai, August 18, 2022: Defending champions FC Goa may not have started their Durand Cup 2022 campaign on a strong note, but a comeback is definitely on the cards for them as they prepare to face the Indian Air Force Football Team in their second group stage match on August 19.
The Gaurs took the lead against Mohammedan SC in their opening match on Tuesday, before a second half blitzkrieg helped the Black Panthers take home the three points. As a result, the Boys in Orange will be keen to get their campaign off and running on Friday.
This will also be the IAF Football Team’s first match of the tournament. In Durand Cup 2021, they finished third in their group with one point from three matches.
The task ahead
As FC Goa are yet to open their account in terms of points in Group A at the tournament, the equation is quite simple – win each of their remaining matches to ensure qualification to the knockout stages.
This is exactly what the young Gaurs will try to do come Friday, when they lock horns with the Indian Air Force Football Team.
“The players are ready and we have been training well, in a bid to put the defeat against Mohammedan SC behind us,” FC Goa head coach Deggie Cardozo said on Thursday.
“Of course, the effort was there but the result (against Mohammedan) was not in our favour. No more thinking about it. Our focus is completely on ourselves and what we can do.
“The top objective remains to try to win every game we compete in. We are still on course to do that. A few individual mistakes cost us on Tuesday, hence we have worked on improving communication between the players. We also have confidence in our ability to play with the ball, and overall we hope to have a good match against the Air Force.”
Players speak
“As a team, we’re disappointed with how we lost our first match. We know that we could have done better, which is why we’re eager to make amends going forward in the Durand Cup,” Phrangki Buam said.
The winger was one of the bright spots of the FC Goa side that went down fighting against Mohammedan SC, featuring for the full 90 minutes against the I-League outfit. “We created some good chances. Nemil scored a wonderful goal and we did well in defence especially in the first half. These are the points that we’re looking to build upon as we prepare to face the Indian Air Force,” he added.
Another player who impressed was Hrithik Tiwari, who made a few solid saves to keep the Gaurs in the hunt for a greater part of the game.
“I’m happy with my individual performance, but as a team I’d like us to do better. We would love to defend the title and are training accordingly, giving our 100 per cent,” the shot-stopper said.
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also, Read 10-man Bengaluru ride on Sunil Chhetri, Roy Krishna goals to edge past Jamshedpur
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
WIFA announce squad for Santosh Trophy final Round
The 22-member squad will travel to Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 8th February 2023 to take part in the final Group round of the Santosh Trophy 2022-23 edition. The following players will…
Maharashtra striker Arif Shaikh to miss Santosh Trophy final round
The top scorer for Maharashtra in the first round of the Hero Santosh Trophy 2022-23 campaign – Arif Shaikh, is not named in the squad for the final round Sources…
MFA Weekly round-up: KSA maintains League lead, Atlanta FC keeps up the chase
It was another week of thrilling football action in the MFA league as fans were treated to a host of entertaining matches. The week started with Match 71 where Millat…
10 men Kenkre hold table toppers RoundGlass Punjab in a 6-goal thriller
RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) were held by ten men Kenkre FC in a six-goal thriller in a Round 15 fixture of the Hero I – League 2022-23 season played here…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
FC Goa complete signing of defender Nikhil Prabhu
FC Goa have completed the signing of Nikhil Prabhu, the defender has put pen-to-paper on a one-a-half-year contract with the Gaurs, which will see him wear the Club’s iconic orange…
KSFA to revive Stafford Cup after 3 decades
The Stafford Challenge Cup, which is an important part of Indian football history since 1938, is all set to return after 30 long years as the Karnataka State Football Association…
Holders Kerala, Goa to play opening match of Hero Santosh Final Round in Bhubaneswar
NEW DELHI: The final round of the 76th National Football Championship for the Hero Santosh Trophy will begin on Friday, February 10, 2023 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The opening day of action…
Traditional powerhouses, unlikely upstarts and generous hosts set to clash in 76th Hero Santosh Trophy
NEW DELHI: The allure of the Santosh Trophy is undeniable, enduring over time — protest, partition, and pandemic mere hurdles surmounted by the weight of a pan-India tournament that hones young…
Manolo Marquez: Yellow was fair but fourth official is not VAR
One of the big talking points of the game was Sanjeev Stalin’s booking, which referee Harish Kundu after consulting with the assistant referee had changed his initial Red into a…
India U20 / SAFF Women's Championship
Confident India begin SAFF U-20 Women’s C’ship campaign against Bhutan
DHAKA, BANGLADESH: The India U-20 Women’s National Team will depend on it’s mixture of youth and experience as they embark on their SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship campaign in Dhaka. India begin…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…