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We respect everyone but fear no one, says FC Goa coach Carlos Pena

Published at :October 20, 2022 at 2:25 AM
Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM
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(Courtesy : FC Goa Media)

Souvari Paul


Last time the Gaurs met Chennaiyin FC, they defeated them 5-0.

After a good start to the campaign, FC Goa is set to meet Chennaiyin FC in their second consecutive away game. FC Goa defeated East Bengal in a dramatic manner in their first match by scoring in the dying minutes of the game. Carlos Pena and his side would be keen on building on this start and continuing their momentum. At the same time, Chennaiyin FC also had a solid start to the season with one win and one draw from two games. Thus, it is clear that it would not be an easy game for either side.

Two days before the match, FC Goa head coach Carlos Pena and player Aiban Dohling attended the pre-match press conference to talk about the CFC game.

Here's what they said.

Pena on winning their first match

Carlos Pena asserted that having a good start to a season is of immense importance and they are happy to have earned three points. He said, "The first game against East Bengal was a very good result for us. We won the match and got three points. These three points are very valuable. We are giving value to these three points because we were playing away against a tough team.

"We did not have any official game in the preseason. It was challenging at times and luckily we won the match. But now East Bengal is past. We are happy because we won three points there. And now for Chennai, we are thinking about winning again," he added.

Coaching FC Goa for the first time, that too in an away game

On being asked how he felt coaching FC Goa for the first time, Pena admitted that it was a special feeling and he enjoyed being the team's coach. He said, "The first match was special. You have to control your emotions and feelings because my duty is to help the players during the game. I think the guys played very well. They had a very good game. For me, it was special because of the victory and attitude of our team."

Thoughts on Chennaiyin FC

With Chennaiyin having a good start to the league, Carlos Pena was asked to express his views on the opponets. He heaped praise on the team by emphasising on their good start against two strong teams.

He said, "Chennaiyin got two good results against two strong teams playing ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC. They are playing very well. They are a very tough opponent and we respect them a lot. We are going without fear. We respect everyone but fear no one. It is going to be a tough game for both teams. We are going to face this game as any game we are going to face. We will be brave and try to get the three points."

On areas of improvement

While replying to a question asking about the areas which need to be improved for FC Goa, Pena said that there are a lot of things that they need to work on. He said, "It has been only two months (for Pena) working with the squad. There are many new things for the players. There are also many new players in the squad. It was the first game. Of course, we are happy with the victory and three points but there are many things to improve. We have to give a lot of importance to these three points because it was a difficult environment. Our team showed a great attitude competing like a team."

Future of Noah Sadaoui

When asked about how the coach is going to use Noah Sadaoui given his highly impactful performance in the first game, Pena said that they are aware of his capabilities and have special plans in place for him.

He stated, "Noah is a very important player for us. He helped us a lot in the last minutes of the previous game. Like all his teammates, I am very happy with him. I am not trying to say that we are going to use Noah in the starting eleven for the next game. But I am sure that Noah is going to be very important for us for the rest of the league."

On strategies for the next game

When asked how the coach is going to approach the Chennaiyin game, the tactician said that they are approaching the game in the same manner as they will approach other games. He said, "Our idea is going to be the same. No matter who we are going to face, our philosophy is the same in all the games. Of course, you need to pay attention to the strategy of the opponent in some aspects of the game. We analyse such aspects and we try to tell that to the players. Then, we try to adapt to the idea. But, the mentality, idea, and the way we face the games are going to be the same."

On the expansion of playoffs

Carlos Pena sounded quite pleased with ISL's decision to expand the playoffs window to the top six sides. He believes that it will make the league more exciting. He said, "It is going to have a great impact. This is because, in the previous seasons, a team that is in the tenth position, with the last few games remaining did not have the chance to get to the top four. But now, with 3-4 games remaining, a team in the ninth position will have a chance to get into the top six. So, it is a good idea for the league to introduce this new format. It is going to make the league more exciting and more entertaining."

Aiban on change of dynamics with Carlos Pena

Aiban said that even though his relationship with Pena changed, their chemistry has largely remained the same. He used to learn intricate matters of defending when Pena was his teammate and is still doing the same. He stated, "When I came in the 2019-20 season, he was a player. I think he was not just an individual player as he was always helpful towards me and my other teammates.

He added, "When I came in here first, I was still learning. I was still making a lot of mistakes. So, he used to tell me to keep going and keep improving. I think as a coach he is still doing the same. We have a very good relationship now because he is a coach now. I respect him and he respects all of his players. I am still learning every day from him."

Aiban on his change of role from centre-back to full-back

When asked how he feels about changing his defensive position from a centre-back to a full-back, Aiban iterated the fact that any player plays according to the team's requirements. He also emphasised the fact that Carlos Pena himself changed his position from full-back to centre-back during his playing days at FC Goa. He said, "As a player, you want to play all the time. So, in any position in which the coach puts you, be it centre back, right-back, or left-back, you have to be ready."

He added, "In his (Pena's) first season, when he was a player, he was playing as a left-back and then as a centre-back. So, it is very special for me to be able to learn from him because in the first season when I was here, I was playing as a centre-back. At that time, I was young. I was here training and learning every day though I did not get to play in many games in the first season. But in those seasons, I made a lot of runs. It was good as it benefitted me a lot. Now, anywhere the coach needs me, I try to be useful and benefit the team."

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