Fans excited for FC Goa homecoming

Goa, November 1, 2022: FC Goa have gotten a near-perfect start to the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season, winning twice in three matches. And now, the excitement surrounding the team is at an all-time high with the Gaurs finally set to step out on their home soil.
On Thursday, the Gaurs, currently placed at fifth on the points table, will look for their third win when they take on Jamshedpur FC at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. While it’s an important day for the Club, the same applies to their fans too, as they have been waiting for this moment for over two years now.
“Words cannot describe how we missed watching our team at our Fatorda Fortress. I’m counting down the days now, and Thursday can’t seem quite close enough yet, I just can’t wait to be back,” Blythe Pereira, an FC Goa fan said.
His friend, Afton da Costa, recollected his matchday routine from over two years ago, when fans were last allowed to watch an ISL game from the stands.
“Whenever my team was playing at Fatorda, I used to leave early from home to the stadium so that I wouldn’t get stuck in rush-hour traffic. On the way, I would join other fans in their celebrations, waving flags and singing songs. Almost always, I would arrive at the stadium even before the gates could officially be opened and hence, I would participate in different games and activities that were held outside.
“As soon as the gates open, we would rush in, so as to not miss any action – including the warm-ups! I’ve had so many memorable moments that it feels unfair to pick one and call it the best,” he further added.
COVID-19 changed everything
Come November 3, it would be 972 days since FC Goa last played a match in front of fans at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda. Fans have bittersweet memories of that clash – although the Gaurs won 4-2 over Chennaiyin FC in what was the second leg of the semi-finals, the Marina Machans advanced to the final on aggregate, having won the first leg 4-1.
“A lot of things have changed since then,” reflected Shery Joseph, another fan of the Club, and rightly so. For starters, Carlos Pena, who played for FC Goa at the time, is now the club’s head coach.
“I was always awed by the trio of Edu Bedia, Hugo Boumous and Ferran Corominas. The last time I was at Fatorda, they ran riot against opposition teams. Sadly now, only Edu remains.”
New season, new hopes
“FC Goa has never been a team that dwells on its weaknesses. They first replaced Coro with Igor Angulo, who finished the 2020-21 season as top-scorer. Among their current set of players, Alvaro Vazquez, Iker Guarrotxena and Noah Sadaoui all look promising,” he further explained.
And this aspect is what excites Nikitha Fernandes, as she looks forward to greeting her favourite team at the Fatorda Fortress on Thursday. “We’ve gotten a fine start to the season, winning both of our first two matches. Although we lost to Hyderabad, our performance against them was promising,” she said.
“We were unlucky in some ways – but as the saying goes, ‘fortune favours the brave’. We are a brave team, confident in both defence and attack. We have some exciting names in our side.
“It is to be noted they played only away games so far and still did quite well, just imagine how well they would perform with us painting our Fortress in orange!” she hoped.
Also Read: Carlos Pena: At Fatorda, I want fans to make life difficult for the opponents
For more trial-related updates click : Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Feature / Interviews / Santosh Trophy
Arif Shaikh reflects on Maharashtra’s performance in Hero Santosh Trophy campaign
Arif Shaikh, the striker for Maharashtra in the Hero Santosh Trophy, in an exclusive chat with us speaks about his team’s performance in the campaign, his experience playing under coach…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
Mumbai Kenkre stun league leaders with late-winner
Mumbai Kenkre FC’s wait for their first points of the new year came to an end with a stunning 2-1 victory over Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Cooperage Stadium in…
MFA Elite Division Roundup: KSA maintains lead; India Rush earns first win of the season
The MFA Elite Division saw a flurry of action over the past couple of days, with several teams securing vital wins to keep their hopes of a top-three finish alive….
India to play in Merdeka Cup, confirms AIFF secretary general
There were uncertainties among Indian football fans regarding India’s participation in the competition but AIFF secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran has squashed the rumours Shaji Prabhakaran, the secretary general of AIFF,…
Kenkre FC strengthens defense with signing of Uzbekistan centre-back Samandar Ochilov
Mumbai-based Kenkre FC have announced the signing of Uzbekistan centre-back Samandar Ochilov for the remainder of the 2022/23 season. The 27-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to the team,…
Lenny Rodrigues returns to FC Goa, Glan Martins leaves on loan
Goa, January 24, 2023: FC Goa have completed the signing of Lenny Rodrigues from fellow Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan, the Club can confirm. The midfielder…
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa agree swap deal for midfielders
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa have reportedly agreed to a swap deal for midfielders Glan Martins and Lenny Rodriguez The exact opposite deal happened in January 2021 when Lenny…
Hero Super Cup / Indian Super League
Kerala to host Hero Super Cup in April
NEW DELHI: The 2022-23 Hero Super Cup, featuring 16 teams in the Group Stage, will take place from April 8-25, 2023, in Kerala. Two of the three cities among Kochi, Kozhikode…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
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…