ACL2 can make FC Goa stronger, together we can fight anyone: Iker

Panaji: Iker Guarrotxena can see the hunger in the eyes of his teammates, and the desire to punch above their weight in the AFC Champions League Two.The ACL2 is Asian football’s second-tier club competition but packed with teams which can give the best in the continent a run for their reputation. Leading the pack is Al-Nassr FC, the Saudi Pro League side captained by Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, while Iraq’s Al Zawraa are also in the same group as FC Goa.For Goa, it’s going to be challenging. In the words of Guarrotxena, the club’s Spanish forward, "a very beautiful challenge,” to represent the team, the city, and bring to the fore the values that makes the group special.“We are like a family and that’s our big strength,” Guarrotxena told TOI after the training session at Bambolim on Monday. “With such (family) strength, we saw last season that we can fight against anyone.

Of course, in the Asian competition, there will be teams from better-ranked leagues, high-profile players, but I think we are more than prepared to fight and overcome the challenges.”Proof of Goa’s strength was there for all to see when the team crossed the playoff hurdle against Al Seeb, the Oman Professional League champions. Up against a much better side, and with players still jostling for a place at the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Super Cup winners stunned the opponents with goals in either half.

“More than the win against Al Seeb, what gives me confidence is how the team trains, how we are together, both on and off the field. The work that we do every day fills me with confidence. We are growing every single day, (with) every single training,” said Guarrotxena, now into his second stint with the club.Goa open their campaign against Al Zawraa at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday. The visitors finished second behind Al-Shorta SC in the Iraq Stars League.With a mix of national team players and quality foreigners, Al Zawraa will start favourites, but Guarrotxena said the visitors won’t have it easy.“The team is well prepared. It’s been a long preseason and we’ve worked hard mentally. Also physically, we are ready. Such competitions are important not just for the club but also players; it’s the highest competition we can play right now. It’s a beautiful competition.

It will make us stronger, bring us closer than ever before. We are sticking together. This is the moment we were waiting for long time,” said Guarrotxena.The Spanish forward known for his work rate on the field and influence in the dressing room counts Goa lucky to be playing competitive games at a time when Indian football has come to a standstill due to uncertainty over the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL). Six teams have not even started preseason; some have kept player salaries on hold.“We are lucky that we are playing this competition,” said Guarrotxena. “We have to be happy that our hardwork from last season has been rewarded. The uncertainty is there on everyone’s mind, we keep reading reports too. But when we take the field, everyone forgets it. We are 100 % focused on the game.”