Manolo Márquez highlights 'key targets' for FC Goa ahead of NorthEast United clash

NorthEast United FC and FC Goa eye victory after previous draw in ISL

FC Goa head coach Manolo Márquez has spoken about the competitiveness of the current season of the Indian Super League, 2024-25, and who he believes is the favorite to win the league during the pre-match press conference. FC Goa will travel to Guwahati to face NorthEast United FC on the 14th of January at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:30 PM.

About the favorite to win the ISL season

Manolo Márquez opined that Mohun Bagan Super Giant are the favorite to win this year’s ISL shield. Elaborating on this statement, the Spanish tactician said, “Jose Molina managed the dressing room very well, which is the most important thing when you manage these kinds of teams.”

The Spanish tactician also spoke about the competitiveness of the ISL. “The competition is very equal. I don’t know if it’s good or bad in terms of quality, but the competition is very tough. And finally, the team that is winning is the team that has the best players.”

Manolo Márquez’s three targets for FC Goa this season

The Spanish tactician shared his three targets for the ISL season. He remarked that his first target is to win the Shield for FC Goa. “The second target is to finish in the top two to avoid the quarterfinals. And the third target is to finish in the top six because this season, it looks like it will be very, very tough,” said Márquez.

“The team that finishes seventh or eighth, can you say it’s a failure if they are fighting until the last game? It’s very difficult,” he added.

About the next opponent NorthEast United FC

The game in Guwahati will be the second-leg match between FC Goa and NEUFC. In the first leg, both teams played out a 3-3 draw on the 4th of October, 2024, at the Fatorda Stadium.

Reflecting on the past performance against the team, FC Goa’s head coach shared his opinion: “The team is now completely different with Juan Pedro Benali. He’s a top coach. The team has a very clear style. They have the least possession in the competition, but the team has scored more goals. Their style is very clear. They defend hard, strong, and well.”

“The team is very good at counter-attacking and has very good players in attack. For me, it was key that they signed one of the best goalkeepers in the country. Now they have a very competitive team, but it will be tough to qualify for the top six for everyone, except for Mohun Bagan,” the Spanish gaffer added.

It will be a homecoming game for FC Goa custodian Hrithik Tiwari, who hails from Guwahati. Addressing questions about not yet becoming the first-choice goalkeeper for the club, the 23-year-old said, “I came here in 2019 and played for the reserve team. Game time is very important. After last season, I considered trying elsewhere if I didn’t get a chance.”

“Now that I’ve got a chance to play and am in the first team, I need to continue performing well. I have to play well in the next match too. The Guwahati stadium is right in front of my house. I started playing football on that ground. It’s very special to me, and all my family members will be there to watch me,” he added.

Hrithik Tiwari has appeared in eight games this season, making 22 saves and securing three clean sheets, earning praise for his performance.

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