Panaji: FC Goa have lost more official games than they have won this season, yet there’s no cause for alarm. In fact, as coach Manolo Marquez points out, his team has been successful in achieving the first two season objectives for the club: making it to the group stage of AFC Champions League Two and semifinals of the Super Cup. “You can say we achieved another target, score in the ACL,” joked Manolo, referring to Brison Fernandes’ calm strike against Al-Nassr FC last month. Probably now it’s time to pick up a point or more. In a season marred by uncertainties and delays, three of Goa’s four losses have come in ACL2, Asian football’s second tier club competition, against higher-ranked opposition, while the other defeat was against NorthEast United, after the team had topped the group and qualified for the knockout stage of the Super Cup. Next up for Goa is a giant of a clash, against Al-Nassr away in Riyadh. “We know that this one will be another very difficult game,” Manolo told TOI. “We face a team that will emerge as winners of our group and will be favourites to win the tournament. Now we play them in Saudi (Arabia). Obviously, we want to be competitive, but we also want to enjoy this experience and pick up lessons which will help us for the future. This is why I keep repeating that it’s important for us to qualify again for next season.” When Goa faced Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League giants captained by Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, in the home leg last month, many expected the visitors to stroll to victory. Al-Nassr did score early and were comfortable for most part, but the hosts took them by surprise with Brison among the goals and even a late push for the equalizer. Goa lost 1-2. “When we lost against Al-Nassr, the team was very tired (in the dressing room). They were dead. They ran a lot. I think we learned some things. This was one defeat that made the team stronger. Now we go to Riyadh, it’s not to exchange jerseys (with star players). “We want to have a good game. We want to be competitive, and that does not mean restricting the goals (that are conceded). We have seen many surprising things happen in football. Let’s see if we can fight it out and get something out of this one,” said the experienced Spanish coach. Goa will be without the experienced David Timor after the Spanish midfielder was sent off in the last game for aiming the ball straight at the assistant referee. Manolo, though, will be able to use five foreigners as Iker Guarrotxena has returned from injury after missing two matches, while Nim Dorjee has also recovered. Against Goa at Fatorda, Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus rotated his squad with Sadio Mane, Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman among those starting from the bench while Ronaldo was not part of the matchday squad. Al-Nassr have an all-win record while Goa have lost all three.
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