In the second minute of added time, Glan Martins slid in to intercept a cutback reaching Al Rayyan’s captain Yacine Brahimi. The Goan struggled to get up, stumbling, tired from 90 plus minutes of endless chasing and tackling and sliding. But he had a role to perform, space to fill. And so, he got up slowly taking his place in the midfield line alongside his captain Edu Bedia to see out the remaining couple or so minutes of India’s first ever AFC Champions League match.
Martins was the outstanding player on a landmark night for Indian football but he was not the only one who ran his heart out. Every player wearing an orange jersey gave it their all. When the final whistle did blow, the Goan players sank to their knees and a country rose in applause of coach Juan Ferrando’s men.
NERVY START
The start was shaky, nervous of the big stage. Ortiz and Donachie gave the ball away in the first 10 minutes but the Qatari side’s forwards shot wide. Dheeraj made an exceptional save, coming out sharply to smother an attack that should have been dealt with by the defence.
As the half progressed, Goa grew into the game and it was clear that they belonged there.
Ferrando’s side stuck to the ideals that came to define them in the preceding Hero ISL season. Despite the early scares, they built from the back. Ivan Gonzalez and Bedia dictated the play. Donachie was a rock at the back.
Full backs Seriton Fernandes and Sanson were tireless, going forward at any opportunity possible, and covering their position extremely well. Seriton’s slide tackle towards the end to deny Al-Rayyan a late winner must have been celebrated as wildly as a goal by the Goan faithful.
DISCIPLINE KEY
Without the ball, Goa were very disciplined. It is not in the team’s nature to think defensively first but their shape rarely wavered and the Qatari side found it very difficult to find any rhythm going. Ishan Pandita, trusted enough to exclude top-scorer Igor Angulo, led the press well – picking and choosing his moments. Ortiz provided an exceptional out ball with his touches immaculate every time.
Brandon Fernandes was tidy in possession and combative off it, a very impressive return from injury. Romario was very unlucky to not have won his side a penalty when his cross stuck Alaa’s hand. He also forced Al-Rayyan’s goalkeeper into a good save just before half time.
Ferrando could not have asked any more of his side. Goa perhaps lacked a bit more quality to push for all three points. They had a game plan to avoid defeat first and they followed and executed every part of it.
NATIONAL PRIDE
It should not be forgotten that this was a Goa side very different from the one that qualified for the Champions League. Boumous, Jahouh, Fall, and Mandar left for greener pastures with manager Sergio Lobera in the summer. All-time top scorer Corominhas went back to Spain. Lenny Rodrigues followed suit in January. To achieve what this team has achieved, given the restricted budget, given the pandemic, given everything, is nothing short of miraculous.
As Indian football fans, before expecting anything on the big stage, we hope for not being embarrassed. Fresh off a 6-0 defeat for the national team, this game brought excitement but also fear. Goa’s performance was a reassuring arm on the shoulder. One that showed the horizon and brought with it hope of better things to come. Now only if they can do the same five more times in the next two weeks.