Time to swim out of deep waters

SETTING GOALS Former finalists have roped in Spaniard Lobera to replace Zico after finishing bottom last season

NEW DELHI: After three seasons with Brazilian football great Zico at the helm, FC Goa are set to step into new waters under Spanish manager Sergio Lobera, who signed a two-year contract with the club earlier this year.

After being knocked out in the semifinals via penalties in 2014, FC Goa had reached the final of the tournament in 2015, losing a dramatic title clash to Chennaiyin FC in the dying minutes.

However, last season the team finished bottom of the standings, with ownership of the franchise changing hands weeks before the start of the season.

This term, there has been more time at the club’s hands to prepare for the new campaign.

Head coach Sergio Lobera will be buoyed by the presence of Derrick Pereira, one of the biggest names in Indian football coaching, in his support staff. Pereira, a National Football League winner with Mahindra United, is the assistant coach.

The Goan club spent ~3.9 crore in the players’ draft, the thirdlowest among 10 teams.

After roping in their foreign recruits, FC Goa possess a promising squad which could challenge for the play-off spots.

The team will, however, face a litmus test towards the end of the regular season when they play their last four games in 11 days’ time. They will begin their campaign away from home against Chennaiyin FC.