ACL 2021: With sturdy midfield and backline, FC Goa maintain Qatar’s Al Rayyan
On debut on the AFC Champions League group stage, FC Goa punched above their weight to carry Qatar Super League membership Al Rayyan 0-0 on the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Wednesday night time.
The draw introduced hope of Indian groups in a position to match stronger sides however as seen up to now consistency is usually a bugbear, be it a membership or the nationwide staff.
In September 2019 when India held the Asian Champions Qatar in an away recreation, the consequence was touted because the ‘sleeping giants’ waking up. Draws towards Afghanistan and Bangladesh introduced an finish to the chatter. As gutsy as that night time in Qatar was, it was one other one-off efficiency adopted by disappointing outcomes.
During the tryst final night time with their Qatari counterparts although, FC Goa was courageous.
Goa’s model of play within the Indian Super League this season, in addition to their earlier two seasons has been fixed to the assumption that enjoying with the ball, coupled with some sturdy central defenders taking cost on the again, is the best way to maneuver ahead. It has helped them attain the AFC Champions League and preserve their inroads into the ISL playoffs regardless of dropping some key gamers.
They didn’t neglect to play the identical means, regardless of a transparent elevate in high quality of the opposition.
Midfield battle
Nothing signified this greater than fielding dwelling gamers Brandon Fernandes and Glan Martins in the midst of the park, simply forward of captain Edu Bedia, in a three-man midfield. Having to play deep within the pocket for a lot of the recreation, each midfielders, just lately rewarded with long-term offers by Goa, had been calm within the face of being pressed by opposition gamers. They all the time discovered a means out of hassle within the midfield.
Didn’t put a single foot flawed all recreation! 👌@GlanMartins! 💪#RiseAgain #GOARYN #FCGoaInAsia pic.twitter.com/ACoEez4y3z
— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) April 15, 2021
Martins particularly all the time appeared to be in the very best positions and was in a position to frequently nab an interception or two, particularly proper exterior his personal staff’s field. Goa ended the sport with a complete of 16 interceptions, to Al Rayyan’s 9. FC Goa’s midfield was not one thing that was bypassed when in possession of the ball, however relatively an instrument used to carry onto possession – a stark distinction in how the nationwide staff performed in 2019 and FC Goa performed yesterday.
A foreign-led defence
One of the key selections that FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando needed to take was to omit ISL’s high objectives scorer Igor Angulo from his staff. The determination was made retaining in thoughts that Goa wanted two overseas centre-backs who might play with the ball.
Both James Donachie and Ivan Gonzales had been essential in not simply snuffing out any probabilities but additionally passing the ball relatively than clearing it out and giving possession away. It led to Goa solely marginally dropping the possession battle, making over 400 passes in 90 minutes and doing so at an accuracy price above 80%. Choosing each of them relatively than dropping one and choosing Angulo may need helped with the objectives, however it signifies that Goa now may need a preventing probability in the direction of the top of most video games.
Step by step! 💪🏻#RiseAgain #FCGoaInAsia #ACL2021 pic.twitter.com/LBj2j9S4xN
— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) April 15, 2021
Striking points
Despite Goa’s Indian-centric midfield exceeding expectations, not sufficient probabilities had been created. The dwelling staff managed a mere three pictures all through the sport, certainly one of which hit the goal. For Ferrando, the lacking probabilities in assault was the difficulty that wanted to be sorted for his or her subsequent recreation, an encounter towards UAE’s Al Wahad on April 17.
“From a coach’s point of view, we need to grow in some details and tactics. We need to improve in certain aspects of the attack because this is the AFC Champions League and it is necessary to prepare and compete in every aspect.” He then continued and stated, “The first game went well, the new target for Saturday is to further improve in attack. We have to go step by step and continue improving. This is not our limit and we have to improve more.”
Looking ahead
In a match the place a staff has to play each three days, restoration and sustaining the identical ranges of play turn into essential. The climate additionally turns into a significant component, as Al Rayyan coach Laurent Blanc made clear after his staff’s draw final night time.
“The weather and humidity had the biggest impact on Al Rayyan’s level of performance during the Goa match. We did not take advantage of the opportunities we got and failing to register a goal at the beginning of the match made the team’s task further difficult and gave confidence to the Goa team, who played in a tight defensive manner,” stated Blanc within the post-match press convention.
Goa’s subsequent opponents Al Wahad might have made their means into the AFC Champions League via the playoffs, however have been regulars at this degree and supply one more check to a Goan staff that must present the identical degree of focus that was required to maintain the Qatar Super League membership at bay.
