Carlos Pena: We have our weapons to win the game against Jamshedpur

The Gaurs are determined to salvage something from the Hero Super Cup.

FC Goa will lock horns with Jamshedpur FC on their opening fixture of the Hero Super Cup 2023 on Monday. With their last-gasp efforts being unable to aid in qualification, the Gaurs’ spirits were somewhat dampened. They will want to utilise their frustration from this so close yet so far campaign. FC Goa head coach Carlos Pena mentioned in his pre-match press conference that he would like to draw inspiration from his time winning the trophy as a player.

On the competition 

Carlos Pena is well aware of the perils of tournaments like the Hero Super Cup. The Spanish former left-back said he will treat this competition with due respect but also field players in rotation to grant the younger contingent more experience. He said, "It’s a very good opportunity for us as a club. We’re in a very very tough group but we’re here to compete and we will have chances every game. Every game is important as a bad day will send you home but we’re focused on the first game.

He continued, "Because for me, this is the match that will determine our future (in the competition and then in terms of the club’s overall progress). I hope our focused approach helps us get the first three points tomorrow.” 

On the form of their opponents being better than them

Jamshedpur FC finished the season with two victories and one draw. One of these wins were actually against Goa’s direct rivals Odisha FC who pipped them off to the final playoffs spot. Despite their advantageous form, Carlos Pena believes that his side were closer to the finish line. He mentioned, “Yes, I agree that Jamshedpur finished the season in a better form than us. But I would say that we were the team that only needed three points to qualify for the playoffs. So tomorrow is going to be a very competitive game.

"We have played three tough games against them. In Goa, I gave a lot of credit to the team because they finished the season really well. Tomorrow will be tough but we have our weapons and tools to win the game and we’ll give it our best,” he added.   

On winning the Hero Super Cup as a player

Carlos Pena reminisced about his side’s former days of glory when he won the Hero Super Cup with them in 2019 as a player. However, he also realise that gone are those days and a new, more daunting challenge awaits them. He recollected, “Well, it was amazing because that season we won the Cup and we were excited and we made a lot of memories. But it will be different from that moment because, from a player's perspective, I think we had a great tournament.

"Now things have changed a lot and now we try to motivate the players and make them realise the importance of the tournament. Especially since it is a good challenge and a great opportunity for all of us. All we are thinking of right now is (the game) tomorrow as we will try to redeem ourselves,” he stated.

On future plans

The manager’s Spanish compatriot and ISL title-winning former Hyderabad FC coach has been appointed to take the reins of the club reportedly on a one-year deal. Following the speculation, it has been discovered that Pena will only be in-charge at FC Goa for the Hero Super Cup campaign. When asked about his future plans, the head coach decided to stay mum.

“Oh, my future plans? The future plan right now is to prepare for the game today and then face Jamshedpur FC tomorrow. Right now, I’m the head coach of FC Goa and I’m in charge of the team. My objective as of now is to conduct a very good training session this evening and try to prepare my team for a good game against Jamshedpur tomorrow. I’m only focused on this because it is what depends on me and I’m looking forward to playing against a very good team tomorrow.”