With just 19 points from 20 matches, FC Goa wrapped up their ISL 2021-22 campaign in ninth place.
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FC Goa showcased the fighting spirit left in them when they came from behind to secure a thrilling 4-4 draw against Kerala Blasters in their final Indian Super League game of the season on Sunday. While Derrick Pereira and his boys could not make it to the playoffs this time, they still ended the season on a positive tone, showing glimpses of what the team can really do on a good day.
Pereira also expressed satisfaction with the Gaurs’ performance, after the final whistle. “I wanted to end on a good note. I think in the first half, we started well but we gave away soft goals as usual. In the second half, we went in and put good efforts, dominated the match, created some very good chances and scored some very good goals. If we had gotten the three points, I would have said that the second half was the best,” he said, as per a press release.
While Sunday was largely a good day for the Men in Orange, they had very few such days this season. Injuries to key players, a sudden outbreak of COVID-19 and the sudden exit of their then-head coach Juan Ferrando among other things played spoilsport to the club’s plans. One thing that stood out through all this, was their team spirit.
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“I think we built a good team, a strong unit. Despite the many issues we had, I think our team spirit helped us fight till the end,” Pereira said, before lauding the team’s young stars too. “They did well – whoever got the opportunity to play. They knew their roles and they took their responsibilities seriously.”
With just 19 points from 20 matches, FC Goa wrapped up their ISL 2021-22 campaign in ninth place. This was also only the second time in their history when they failed to make it to the playoffs, which is why they will be hoping for an improved showing in the upcoming campaign.
On Sunday, Kerala Blasters held FC Goa to a draw in an eight goal thriller as the Gaurs rounded off the season by extending the unbeaten run against Kerala to 10 games. Both teams scored four goals apiece, and Goa’s Airam Cabrera made the night memorable with a well-deserved hat-trick.
Aibanbha Dohling also netted for the Gaurs, while Jorge Pereyra Diaz (x2), Vincy Barretto and Alvaro Vazquez got their names on the score sheet for the Yellow Army.
