Fans will play a pivotal role in our success, says FC Goa captain Sandesh Jhingan on ISL 2024-25 Media Day

Sandesh Jhingan also mentioned about the support of fans.

FC Goa are aspiring to finally break their Indian Super League (ISL) trophy duck in the 2024-25 season by finally clinching the big cup this time around. Juggling between his roles as the Gaurs’ head coach and Indian football team head coach, Manolo Marquez aspires to get his side performing at their best levels to compete for both the league shield and playoffs trophy.

Unfortunately, Marquez was unable to attend the ISL Media Day duties as he’s training the Blue Tigers for the Intercontinental Cup match against Syria on Monday. Instead, FC Goa’s captain Sandesh Jhingan attended the press conference alongside returning club hero Iker Guarrotxena and new goalkeeper Lara Sharma.

Sandesh Jhingan on injury recovery

Jhingan gave an update on his injury recovery, saying:  “When I went through that injury at such a pivotal point of the season, we were fighting for the Shield and Cup, I missed out on half of the season and many games of the national team. Any player will feel bad.

“But I’m very lucky and grateful for the people around me, especially how FC Goa and my family supported me. I’m still taking my time, I’ve started training with the team. It’s taking time but it’s going well. My doctor has helped me in the rehab. A few more weeks before I’ll be back in action,” he added.

Jhingan hails FC Goa fans

Jhingan also spoke about the importance of the FC Goa fan base in firing up the squad, explaining: “Of course, for many clubs, the coaches, players, and owners come and go – but the fans are the real identity of the club. Kerala is Kerala Blasters because of its fans, the same goes for FC Goa.

“When I used to play against them, 8-9 years ago, the loud cheers of ‘Forca Goa’ always stuck with me and gave me goosebumps. They give the energy to the team and are the energy of the club. For any team to grow, you need the most important ingredient which is the fans to rally behind you. They need to be involved as much as possible and we must work as a club to make them feel involved. They’ll play a pivotal role in the success of FC Goa and I’m sure we’ll have a great season ahead,” he also claimed.

Jhingan on Marquez’s double role

Sandesh Jhingan was asked if Marquez has taken up too much work with his duel roles and how he’ll feel playing under him for both club and country. The centre-half answered, “I think you must ask him that question (duel role). He’s doing that job! I think he’s well equipped to handle both and if he’s got the groundwork and all that to help him coach both roles. Of course, it helps (playing both roles).

“He knows my current stage and how I’ll be physically and mentally in the future. I’ve been on the national team for a decade now, so I know their set-up. It’s a joy to work with him.

“He’s a great coach and anyone to have worked with him must’ve said that 1000 times. Going to the pitch every day in his training sessions and video sessions, you enjoy that a lot as you sense yourself improving. It’s good for me as a player to get exposure to his level of training and tactical training too. I’m very happy that he’s (present) in both roles (Indian football team manager and FC Goa head coach),” he further quipped.

#ISLMediaDay Done and Dusted! ☑️COK 🛩️ GOI 🔜 pic.twitter.com/Xf3eKn34VF

— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) September 5, 2024

Jhingan on FC Goa’s title-winning chances and Mohammedan SC’s ISL debut

Sandesh Jhingan also turned slightly poetic while assessing FC Goa’s chances of winning the big trophies this season, as he noted: “I think we can only answer how strong we are on the pitch. I can say 10,000 things right now, how Sun Tzu said in the ‘Art of War’ that when you are too strong, always downplay yourself and when you’re not that strong, pump yourself up.

“But words don’t make that much of a difference on what we do on the pitch on September 17 and then going ahead. But pre-season is going well, so I’m always very confident. There is a lot of desire to win big things. I noted that you said we’ve always been in the semi-finals.

“If you look at the ‘glass half empty’ then you see that we lost the last ISL semi-final, but FC Goa in general in the ISL’s history have been a team to be around finals and playoffs and always been a top-4 team. So I’d prefer to look at the ‘glass half full’ as we are a big club always near about the big things.

“This season we’ll go for the ISL shield and the Cup as well, but the best answer for that is to take game by game, and that’s what we’re going to do and work harder,” he also claimed.

The India international also voiced his pleasure to see Mohammedan SC join the ISL this season, saying: “I think all Indian players wanted Mohammedan SC to be in the ISL. Growing up, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan were the Kolkata giants so you’d want them.

“It’s good for the league to have the three teams together and it’ll help the league a lot. I’ve played against them a few times and they have massive support all over the country. People will enjoy it. Having them will be fun!”

Iker Guarrotxena on returning to FC Goa and the differences between the current Gaurs’ side and the one he left

Spanish midfielder Iker Guarrotxena is back at FC Goa after a period at Mumbai City and explained his decision to do so, stating: “It’s been good coming back. I’ve come back to the place I wanted to come back. My first season at FC Goa was unbelievable, I couldn’t believe it would be that good.

“I thought about returning to FC Goa if I was to come back to India this year. I know many people around Goa, they make me feel at home. It was in mind to come back, when I spoke to the coach and Ravi (Puskur) it was great. My family loves coming to Goa, they’ll come back again so this return is a success for me.”

Guarrotxena was asked about the difference he sees in FC Goa when he left with his ongoing stint, as he claimed: “There is a big difference. With every passing year, the club is getting more professional and taking care of more details which could make a difference at the end of the season. They’re improving every passing year and the club is like a family.

“They’re not just taking care of what happens on the pitch, but also those who work in off-the-pitch roles. That is a good thing and every year has to improve every year. FC Goa is doing things well properly and this season the idea of the coach and the players are aligned in the same way within the club. It can be a beautiful season, we’ll look to win things properly, not dream too much, and be realistic and work in the same way,” he added.

Lara Sharma’s message to fans

Finally, goalkeeper Lara Sharma sent a poignant message to the fans, saying: “In the open training, we saw a lot of kids, families and even old people to watch us. In Goa, I’ve seen that the small kids want to play football and see what FC Goa is.

“I want them to come in big numbers as they have been in the stadium for the games and support us throughout the season. We’ll do everything for them and give them the best for the end of the season.”

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