Key Highlights
- FC Goa players were excited to visit the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh, home of Al-Nassr FC and Cristiano Ronaldo.
- The match against Al-Nassr FC is part of the AFC Champions League Two group-stage.
- Coach Manolo Marquez emphasized that his team should focus on playing their best rather than admiring the venue or exchanging jerseys.
- FC Goa scored through Brison Fernandes in the match, which ended 1-2 with David Timor sent off for aggression towards the referee.
FC Goa’s Journey to Al-Awwal Park
FC Goa players stepped inside the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, now known as Al-Awwal Park due to sponsorship reasons. The stadium, originally constructed in the 1970s for sporting events at the university, has undergone significant renovations and is currently the home ground of Al-Nassr FC, one of the world’s greatest football clubs.
For FC Goa, this visit was not just a tour but a critical match in the AFC Champions League Two group-stage. The team’s players expressed excitement as they took pictures and videos of the stands, admired the away dressing room, and huddled together for selfies before stepping on to the turf. Their social media feeds are expected to buzz with tales from their historic presence at this venue.
Coach Manolo Marquez’s Approach
In an interview with The Times of India (TOI), Coach Manolo Marquez emphasized that his team should focus on playing their best rather than admiring the stadium or exchanging jerseys. He stated, “We are not here to admire the stadium or exchange jerseys. We are here to try and play a good game, be competitive.
We have seen surprising things happen in football, so let’s see what happens (on the field).”
Marquez’s approach is rooted in his desire for his team to maintain a professional mindset despite being surrounded by one of the world’s most illustrious players, Cristiano Ronaldo. The coach believes that while it may be tempting for the players to get distracted by the presence of a star player like Ronaldo, their primary goal should remain focused on delivering a solid performance.
Match Performance and Future Prospects
The match against Al-Nassr FC saw FC Goa face a formidable opponent. The team was competitive, putting up a strong fight despite conceding twice in the first 30 minutes of the game. Brison Fernandes scored for FC Goa as the final score stood at 1-2.
Additionally, Spanish midfielder David Timor received a red card for his aggressive behavior towards the match official.
Coach Marquez is expected to field five foreign players and must choose between Nim Dorjee and Ronney Willson for an additional man in defence. Al-Nassr FC, on the other hand, comes into the game after facing a turbulent week in domestic football. They were eliminated from the King’s Cup following a defeat to Al Ittihad and narrowly edged past Al Fayha with a late stoppage-time penalty.
Al-Nassr FC aims to secure their place in the Round of 16 with two matches remaining.
The result is crucial for them, while any positive outcome would be a significant achievement for FC Goa, representing Indian football on the continental stage. Coach Marquez’s words ring true: “It’s an honour for all of us – players, coaches, fans, club — to be here, playing these kind of games, and representing Indian football (on the continental stage). These are the games that everyone will remember for life.”
