Al Rayyan, Goa in bid to make history in Fatorda

AFC Fatorda (Goa) India’s FC Goa are set to make their AFC Champions League bow when they face Al Rayyan of Qatar in Group E at 8pm on Wednesday. History w...

AFCFatorda (Goa)India’s FC Goa are set to make their AFC Champions League bow when they face Al Rayyan of Qatar in Group E at 8pm on Wednesday.History will be made at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, when hosts Goa become the first Indian side to play in the AFC Champions League group stage, while Al Rayyan will be looking to make the knockout stage for the first time.Head coach Juan Ferrando, who has the likes of Ivan Gonzalez, captain Edu Bedia and Jorge Ortiz at his disposal, will be banking on home advantage at a venue where they have been dominant in the Indian Super League (ISL).Missing from their roster is striker Igor Angulo, who won the ISL Golden Boot in his first year in India scoring 14 goals from 21 games, and it will be up to forwards Devendra Murgaonkar and Ishan Pandita to fill the void left by the 37-year-old Spaniard.“This match is the most important moment for the club and Indian football. We are working hard because we know about the opponents and their level of football,” said Ferrando.“It will be an intense match against Al Rayyan and the physical conditions are as important as the psychology and mentality of the players. The most important thing is to maintain that level of concentration for every game.”FC Goa captain Edu Bedia echoed his coach’s comments and stressed that his teammates will have to stay strong and remain focused throughout the match.“It’s a historical match for Indian football to compete in a tournament of this calibre. We worked very hard in training, we have a lot of ambition and we’re definitely excited. Tomorrow we will try our best to play our best game forward,” said 32-year-old Bedia.Al Rayyan, who finished third in the 2020-21 Qatar Stars League, will be making their 12th appearance in the Continental showpiece having not advanced to the knockout stage in all their previous appearances.“My team has prepared well for this match against FC Goa and they are ready. This will be my first time coming here and playing in this stadium,” said head coach Laurent Blanc. “We will give our best and it’s good to be here.”“I want my team to play their best in this competition. This season is going to be very tough considering the rest days between the matches.“We all have our targets and ambition but our focus is on Goa FC and they are not an easy team to beat.”