Head coach Manolo Marquez opens up about the importance of playing in ACL2 for FC Goa

FC Goa need to beat Al Seeb to qualify for the AFC Champions League 2

While the uncertainty around the Indian Super League continues, the Kalinga Super Cup winners, FC Goa are set to return to action tomorrow. The Gaurs will welcome Al Seeb to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda for a one-off AFC Champions League Two playoff.

The stakes are high for FC Goa as nothing but a win will get them a place in the group stage of the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two. If they lose, the Gaurs will continue their Asian journey, albeit in the AFC Challenge League, Asia’s third-tier club competition.

FC Goa’s head coach Manolo Marquez addressed the press ahead of this important game against Al Seeb. The Spaniard talked about their opponents, the importance of the competition and their supporters ahead of the AFC Champions League 2 fixture.

Also Read: FC Goa AFC Champions League 2 playoff rival watch: Al Seeb

What did Manolo Marquez say about Al Seeb?

Oman’s Al Seeb have been on a good run of form in recent years. The club has won the Omani League four times in the last six seasons. Al Seeb also created history in 2022 by winning the AFC Cup and becoming the first team from Oman to do so.

Talking about their opponents, the FC Goa manager said, “When you play in continental competitions, you know that the opponents will be strong. We know how Al-Seeb play and they have very good players.”

“You know that Oman’s football is now growing a lot, and they are still in the fight to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. A lot of these players from Al-Seeb are in the national team. Obviously the game won’t be easy, but it won’t be easy for them either. I think that it will be a very equal game.”

What does the AFC Champions League 2 mean to Manolo Marquez and FC Goa?

The game against Al Seeb will be Manolo Marquez’s first game at the continental stage. The Spaniard has never managed a club in Asian or European competitions before and hence he mentioned he was excited and honoured to be leading FC Goa in this match.

The FC Goa manager said, “If we win tomorrow, I will be very happy because this club deserves to continue in the AFC Champions League 2. I think that I said before that for me this team is the best organisation in India. Also, I think that it will mean a lot for everyone, for the fans, for the club, for the players.”

“The players, they are working very, very hard. I say this because I need to tell you that they are training very, very well. Let’s see, I am confident that we can win tomorrow.”

FC Goa coach sends a message to their supporters!

The game against Al Seeb is do-or-die for FC Goa as only a win will take them to AFC Champions League 2. Playing at home, the pressure will be on the players, however, Manolo Marquez is banking on home support to get the job done.

Talking about the importance of the supporters, the FC Goa manager said, “Our last press conference here, at the Fatorda, was after we were knocked out by Bengaluru FC in the ISL semi-final. If you remember, I had said that the connection that I saw on that day between the crowd and the players was something I had never seen before in Goa.”

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“I had mentioned that it would help us to do a good Super Cup and finally, we went and won the Super Cup. Now we are in the Asian competition and I hope that tomorrow the supporters will come in good numbers to back their team.”

Manolo Marquez concluded by saying, “It is a fantastic feeling when you play in Fatorda with a lot of people. It is very, very nice as all the teams feel the heat when the crowd is there. Unfortunately, when I arrived in India, there were two years of COVID and it was terrible. However, when the support is for your team, the feeling is very good.”

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