Super Cup: FC Goa start title defence against Jamshedpur

Panaji: FC Goa and Carlos Pena both have a chance to make amends and save the season.
Pena, also a former FC Goa centre-back, arrived at the club with a lot of promise. However, the club could only finish seventh in the Indian Super League (ISL), missing out on a playoff place – this time with six teams – for the second successive season.
As the Super Cup returns after four years, Goa’s title defence starts against fellow ISL outfit Jamshedpur FC at the EMS Stadium, Kozhikode, on Monday.
“We are in a very tough group with great teams, but we come here to compete,” Pena said during the pre-match conference on Sunday. “We have chances in every game, so we are going to compete in every game.”
Goa have been drawn in group C which also consists of ISL champions ATK Mohun Bagan and two-time former I-League winners Gokulam Kerala FC.
Brandon Fernandes will captain the squad which includes 10 homegrown players.
The regulations of the Super Cup allow participating teams to register six foreign players in their respective squads. At least one such name must be from an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member nation.
FC Goa have fielded a strong squad with Spaniards Alvaro Vazquez, Iker Guarrotxena, Edu Bedia and Hernan Santana. Moroccan Noah Sadaoui and Syrian centre-back Fares Arnaout complete the foreign lineup.
“We have played three tough games against them (Jamshedpur FC) including one in the pre-season in Goa. I give a lot of credit to their team. They will be tough, but we have all the weapons, tools, and will try to win it,” said Pena.
When the Super Cup was last played, in 2019, Goa emerged triumphant. Pena was part of that winning squad in Bhubaneshwar.
“There are excellent memories from that season. I saw a picture outside and was really excited. There are really good memories. Of course, it is the past and things are very different now. Now I’m trying to motivate my players, tell them the importance of this tournament,” said Pena.
FC Goa defeated Jamshedpur 3-0 at home this season and managed a 2-2 draw in the away fixture. Jamshedpur finished just above bottom-placed NorthEast United FC in the ISL.
“It’s not been the best of seasons for us. But we’ve done well since Christmas. We want to try and continue that here in the Super Cup,” said Jamshedpur coach Aidy Boothroyd
FC Goa will face Gokulam Kerala on Friday and four days later, they will lock horns with newly crowned ISL champions ATKMB.
The kick off is 8.30pm.