Analysis: Dissecting the defenders of FC Goa for ISL 2020-21

The Gaurs' have put together one of the best defensive units in the Indian top flight.

FC Goa are entering a new era in the upcoming Indian Super League with their new tactician Juan Ferrando at the helm. The exodus that followed with the departure of Sergio Lobera last season has forced some big changes at the Gaurs.

Despite the managerial and personnel changes the philosophy at the club still remains the same. The ISL league leaders will once again look to play fearless, attacking football and hence they have appointed a very pragmatic, young coach who would not be satisfied with anything less than what they achieved last season.

Apart from being a young coach from Spain, Ferrando has his similarities with Lobera, but his focus remains mainly on maintaining a balance between defence and attack. The Spaniard believes in building a strong backline, which will allow the forwards and midfielders to play their natural game.

While the Gaurs may miss their fan-favourites Mourtada Fall and Mandar Rao Dessai at the back, their new recruits in James Donachie, Ivan Gonzalez and youngsters in Sanson Pereira, Saviour Gama, Leander D'Cunha have plenty of quality. The foreign recruits along with the academy graduates will look to create a solid backline for the Gaurs this season.

Overseas Players

Ferrando's first defensive signing was roping in compatriot Ivan Gonzalez from Cultural Leonesa. The 30-year-old centre-back fits perfectly in the coach's system, as he can play out from the back and also has leadership skills. The former Real Madrid academy graduate has bags of experience in the Spanish lower leagues and Ferrando will look to tap into that for FC Goa this season.

Australian centre-back James Donachie is a defender who will be tasked to compliment Ivan Gonzalez at the heart of the defence. Donachie, a former Brisbane Roar youth prospect, had a breakthrough start in the A-League as Roar won the title in his first campaign. He has also featured for Melbourne Victory and won the league with them in the 2017/18 season. Standing at six feet four inches, his primary attribute is his physical presence which makes him an aerial threat. The 27-year-old will look to provide cover for Gonzalez during build-ups with his excellent defensive instinct.

Indian Core

Only Mandar Rao Dessai and Chinglensana Singh have left the club among the Indian defenders. So, now the baton will be passed on to Seriton Fernandes to lead the Indian set of defenders who are very inexperienced at this level. Seriton looks like a guaranteed starter at right-back and over the years under Lobera's tutelage, his game has only advanced. His attacking prowess was never in question. However, even his defensive stats saw a little improvement last term.

Players like Mohamed Ali and Aiban Dohling provide Ferrando with Indian alternatives at the heart of the backline, if he wants to shuffle the pack and go with a more attacking formation. Ali has been decent whenever he was called upon in Lobera's reign and in Dohling, the Spanish tactician has got a prospect. The former Shillong Lajong academy graduate is exceptional with the ball and promises to only get better. However, the inexperience among the Indian centre-backs will be an area of concern for the Gaurs.

With Mandar's departure, Saviour Gama is the best bet to replace him at left-back. Gama has been in and around the squad for some time now. The 23-year-old made eleven appearances last season and was part of Lobera's rotation options. Gama has shown character and maturity whenever called upon, a trait which Ferrando will relish.

Promoted Youngsters

While Seriton and Gama are the best bets to start on both flanks, players like Sarineo Fernandes, Leander D'Cunha and Sanson Pereira will provide tough competition. The three Goan defenders have earned a place in the first-team after their consistent performances for the development side.

All three have made big noises in the Goan football circuit over the last couple of years and now it is their chance to grab the limelight. Starting with Sanson, the former Salgaocar defender won several accolades with the Greens, starting from U-14 GFA to the Goa Pro League in 2016/17. A crafty left-back who likes to go on overlapping runs and whip crosses into the box, the youngster is also deadly from set-pieces.

Leander D'Cunha is another young defender who shows promise and was the captain of the FC Goa development side for the 2019/20 season. Before joining Goa, he featured for SESA Football Academy and Churchill Brothers. He comes with good experience in the local circuit.

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Lastly, one of the most talked-about young defenders from this side has to be Sarineo Fernandes, who also featured in Khel Now's Scouting Report series for the 2020-21 season. The 21-year-old left-back has featured for teams like Sporting Club de Goa, Salgaocar, FC Bardez and finally joined Goa's development team in 2017.

Since then, he has grown in stature under Clifford Miranda and played an important role in the team's maiden GPL title in 2018/19. He also made appearances in the Second Division League, Durand Cup and will fight for a debut in the ISL. Sarineo adds depth to the left-back options for Ferrando, as the youngster is defensively sound and has the ability to mark opposition wingers. However, his attacking attributes need more work and should improve.

The FC Goa backline is a great mixture of experience and youthful exuberance. Every player, be it a foreigner or Indian brings something unique to the table.

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