Goa to play friendlies in Spain

FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera will be aiming to go a step further this year in the Indian Super League. In order to get his team up to speed, the Gaurs will be travelling to Murcia, Spain on Wednesday for a run of pre- season games before the start of the fifth edition of the event.

Having retained a number of key players from their last campaign, Lobera has added plenty of new faces to the squad and will hope his team settles together during their trip to La Manga

The 24- man squad, which will include four players from developmental team, will travel to Murcia to train and play five friendlies at the La Manga Club.

“I think that all of the players that went to La Manga last year noticed that it was an ideal place to prepare for a new season,” said head coach Sergio Lobera.

“It is a location that has been chosen by world class teams like Manchester United, Chelsea and many national teams as well”

Playing against quality opposition will help the squad gel together and improve their chemistry on field. The Gaurs have five potential friendlies lined up against the likes of FC Cartagena, UCAM Murcia CF and former La Liga side Real Murcia before returning to Goa on September 17.

“There are still two teams pending to confirm, however, the ones we are playing against are very strong teams that will be fighting to gain promotion,” added Lobera.