ISL 2019 | FC Goa to start their pre-season on September 12

ByPress Release, SportsCafe Editor

09/11/2019

2018 Super Cup winners FC Goa have announced that they will start their pre-season for the 2019 edition of the Indian Super League on September 12. This will be the first time that the two time ISL finalists, since the inaugural season, will kick off their season on their home turf in Goa.

After winning the Super Cup last season and coming within minutes of landing their first-ever ISL title, Sergio Lobera’s men will look to launch another successful campaign. The two-time ISL finalists have continued with a majority of the squad that finished the last campaign with six members of the foreign contingent retained.

Ferran Corominas, after winning his second straight ISL Golden Boot Trophy, will aim to finish as the top scorer in the league for the third consecutive time. He will be joined by compatriots Edu Bedia and Carlos Peña. Hugo Boumous, Ahmed Jahouh and central defender Mourtada Fall will also retain for another year.

The Gaurs’ highest-appearance maker Mandar Rao Dessai will be one of the Goans in the squad apart from Brandon Fernandes, Lenny Rodrigues, Seriton Fernandes and others. Last season’s young break-out stars Mohammad Nawaz, Princeton Rebello, Saviour Gama and Liston Colaco will once again be part of the first team.

Shubham Dhas has been promoted from the Developmental team while Aibanbha Dohling, Seiminlen Doungel and Amey Ranawade are new additions to the squad.

Director of Football Ravi Puskur stressed on the need for continuity in the squad. He said, “We have opted for consistency in our squad selection after reaching the ISL final last time around. We hope that the same core group of players will perform well for us this season and expect that our new signings will bolster our push for a title win.”

The FC Goa squad for the pre-season is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Mohammad Nawaz, Shubham Dhas, Naveen Kumar

Defenders: Mourtada Fall, Seriton Fernandes, Carlos Peña, Aibanbha Dohling, Chinglensana Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai, Amey Ranawade, Saviour Gama

Midfielders: Hugo Boumous, Ahmed Jahouh, Princeton Rebello, Lenny Rodrigues, Edu Bedia, Brandon Fernandes, Jackichand Singh

Forwards: Ferran Corominas, Seimenlen Doungel, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco