FC Goa’s objective is to build a strong team that is different, says head coach Carlos Pena

Panaji: FC Goa coach Carlos Pena didn’t seem out of place when he took charge of the team’s training session in preparation for the next edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).
The Spaniard is not new to Goa.
After all, Pena spent two seasons at the club as a player from 2018 to 20. The 38-year-old will use this to his advantage as he looks to rebuild FC Goa after a forgettable season when they finished ninth.
Since the league’s inception in 2014, Goa have been the most consistent side, making it to the play-offs on a regular basis. They finished runnersup on two occasions and Pena wants to break the title jinx.
“My objective is to build a strong team this season,” Pena told TOI on Saturday. “I have to recover the level of some players. I think they are better than what they showed last season and we are working on that. We have new additions and we are now thinking only to build a strong group and make our fans enjoy football.”
Goa are known for their attractive style of football and the players will be boosted with the presence of fans in the stands.
The ISL was played inside a bio-secure bubble with empty stadiums for the last two years. The league was played entirely at a single venue – Goa.
On Saturday when Goa opened the doors of training, fans turned out in large numbers at the Salvador do Mundo ground, Goa’s training base.
The fan presence certainly made a difference.
“Very happy with the work of the guys. Very happy with the support of the fans. It’s a very special day for us because they (team) haven’t played with them for the last two years. This season is going to be special because we can meet the fans again at the stadium and we are looking forward to that,” said Pena.
From last season’s foreign players, Goa have retained only Spanish midfielder and captain Edu Bedia, the club’s longest-serving foreigner now into his sixth season here.
From the five new foreign players, only Alvaro Vazquez has experience of playing in India, having led the Kerala Blasters FC frontline last season.
Moroccan midfielder Noah Sadaoui, Syrian defender Fares Arnaout and Spaniards Marc Valiente and Iker Guarrotxena are all new to India.
“I am very happy with the squad I have. I think we have signed very good players and know some of them. We also have great players here that have remained with us, so I’m very happy with the commitment they are showing now. I think it is time to build a good team that is different,” said Pena.