ACL2: FC Goa have difficult group, need to play without fear, says coach Manolo Marquez

Panaji: When the group-stage draw for the AFC Champions League Two was being conducted in Malaysia last month, FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez was back home in Barcelona.The experienced Spanish coach had successfully navigated the playoff against Oman Professional League champions Al Seeb and took Goa to the group stage.

There would be bigger challenges, for sure, but nothing to match Al-Nassr FC.The Saudi Pro League side finished third last season and were forced to play in the AFC Champions League Two, Asian football's second-tier club competition. With Cristiano Ronaldo captaining the side, no wonder almost every team in the competition wanted to be in the same group.FC Goa were lucky as they were drawn alongside Al Nassr, Al Zawraa (Iraq) and FC Istiklol (Tajikistan).“I was on (WhatsApp) chat with the team and everyone was very, very happy," Manolo told TOI after the conclusion of a training session at Bambolim on Sunday. “A lot of players idolise Cristiano Ronaldo, so they were all excited. It’s great for the club too, whether Ronaldo (eventually) plays or not. This is what a proper football club needs; such (high-profile) games are good for the sport, for the crowd, even the club’s economy.

“This is why I always maintain that it’s very important for the club to play in Asia every year. If you want to grow as a club, you need to qualify for continental competitions every season.”Goa are at this stage thanks to their Super Cup triumph last season. Now, the attention shifts to the group stage games, starting with the opener against Al Zawraa at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday.Al Zawraa finished second behind Al-Shorta SC in the Iraq Stars League last season."Overall, a very difficult group but an expected one since we were in pot four. If, after winning the Super Cup, anyone had offered this group to us, we would be very happy. In this competition, we need to enjoy playing, probably suffer to get results, do everything to improve as a team, and individually as players. Even for me, I can improve as a coach. When we enter the field, we need to play without fear,” said Manolo.Goa go into the competition after playing just one competitive game this season, and it happened last month. The uncertainty over the season and delayed start to the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) means some teams have not even started preseason. Manolo isn’t worried and is drawing inspiration from some impressive performances by the senior national team at CAFA Nations Cup and the India U-23s in Qatar.“It's difficult, but every other team would want to be in our situation,” said Manolo. “We played Mohun Bagan in a friendly and it was a good game. We will have more good games to prepare since other teams will start preseason training. From the outside, it may seem like a difficult time, but when I watch the team from close, the players are completely focused on the game ahead. It’s been like this for a week.”