ANI
28 Apr 2021, 19:26 GMT+10
Margao (Goa) [India], April 28 (ANI): After being ruled out of qualification for the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League in their debut season in the competition, FC Goa will look to go out with their heads held high in their last Group E match against Al Wahda.
The Gaurs have accumulated three points so far in Group E of the ACL, having earned two draws against Al Rayyan (Qatar), and one against Al Wahda (UAE), while losing their two matches against last season's runners-up side Persepolis FC (Iran).
Ahead of their last match against Al Wahda, FC Goa defender Seriton Fernandes stated that the Gaurs are motivated to create history by winning their last ACL match of the season for the people of India.
"If we win (the match against Al Wahda), we will dedicate it to the people of India. We will approach the last game like any other -- with a view to get all three points. We have never wavered from that stance and we will continue to look for a victory, irrespective of who the opponent is. That's what we are all about," All India Football Federation quoted Fernandes as saying.
The Gaurs' head coach Juan Ferrando underlined the importance of improving on the results that the Goan side has produced so far on the continent's apex club competition.
"We need to improve further. In football, we need to always think about where the points would come from. We are not thinking about the last game anymore. It is time to focus on the next game and find the best XI for that one," Ferrando said.
While Goa have earned three draws from their five matches so far, they came very close to a win in the last game against Al Rayyan, when Brandon Fernandes set up Jorge Ortiz for a third-minute strike. However, the Qatari side, coached by Laurent Blanc, who was a part of the famous French team that won the 1998 World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2000 as a player, struck back in the 89th minute through Ali Ferydoon to equalise.
While Seriton expressed the side's disappointment at not getting the three points against Al Rayyan, he echoed his coach's words, stating that the AFC Champions League has been an experience to remember.
"We were all disappointed (after the draw against Al Rayyan). We were very close to a win. It was a tough game and just goes to show that you can't take lose concentration even for a minute in this competition," said the 28-year-old.
"This is a whole new level of games for a lot of us. You have to stay focused on what's happening in these games. There is less time on the ball than we are used to and the quality of the players up against us is really high.
"It's been an experience to remember. We have all gained so much confidence, having played at this level. And now that we have had a taste of it, we want more. We want to be back in the Champions League," he added. (ANI)Get a daily dose of Malaysia Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Malaysia Sun.
More InformationBANGKOK, Thailand: This week, Thailand implemented land border restrictions, including a ban on tourists traveling to Cambodia, as...
Islamabad [Pakistan], June 29 (ANI): An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 jolted Pakistan on Sunday, a statement by the National Center for...
By Kavya Dubey New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): The world paused on June 13 when Israel targeted major military and nuclear facilities,...
(250629) -- JAKARTA, June 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A drone photo shows participants running during the Jakarta International Marathon 2025...
YANGON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Miss Universe Myanmar 2025 in the Miss Universe Myanmar 2025 finale held in Yangon on Friday night. A total...
HANOI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- As students across Vietnam began the national high school graduation exam with literature test on Thursday,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. dollar tumbled this week, hitting its lowest levels since 2021 against the euro, British pound, and...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Walmart is set to close a major Sam's Club fulfillment center in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of a shift in...
SAN FRANCISCO, California: A U.S. judge has dismissed a copyright lawsuit filed by 13 authors against Meta Platforms, the company that...
DUBAI, U.A.E: Oman is set to introduce a personal income tax as part of its strategy to reduce dependency on hydrocarbon revenues....
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell on Friday announcing he had terminated trade talks with Canada....
Federal officials, then-Governor of Indiana Eric Holcomb, union leaders, company representatives, and dozens of guests assembled at...