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Time of India
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Borja, Iker set to stay with FC Goa for another year
Borja Herrera (left) and Iker Guarrotxena impressed FC Goa with their performances all through the season Panaji: FC Goa have started building their squad for next season with Borja Herrera and Iker Guarrotxena among the two foreign players the club is set to retain. Borja and Guarrotxena were out of contracts at the end of last season. The two Spanish players impressed the club with their performances all through the season and have now been rewarded with contract extensions. You Can Also Check: Goa AQI | Weather in Goa | Bank Holidays in Goa | Public Holidays in Goa 'Goa have agreed deals with both Borja and Iker,' a source told TOI on Tuesday. 'There was some hesitancy due to the prevalent situation in Indian football, but regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL), these two players were always going to be a part of the squad. They know the club, the league and the conditions in India. It wasn't a difficult decision.' Borja and Guarrotxena were important members of Manolo Marquez's squad last season. Besides striker Armando Sadiku in the early stages of the league, the coach relied heavily on the two players to get the goals, both in the ISL and Super Cup, which Goa won to qualify for continental championships for the first time since 2020. Borja had six goals and four assists in the ISL last season with his hat-trick against his former club, East Bengal, the highlight. He started in 16 of the 22 games that he featured in the league. The Spanish midfielder's big goal contribution though came in the Super Cup when his brilliant brace slayed Jamshedpur FC in the final. Borja also had a significant role to play in Goa's Bandodkar Memorial Trophy triumph earlier in the season. Nursing a long-term injury, Guarrotxena missed the early part of the season but his importance to Goa cannot be understated. Just like Borja, he had 10-goal contributions in the ISL, scoring seven. The Spaniard – now into his second stint at the club – made 21 appearances overall and accumulated 1,411 minutes of playing time. This season's ISL was expected to kick off on Sept 14, as per the calendar approved by the AIFF League Committee last month. However, there is now growing suspense over the future of the league after several club owners were told by FSDL that the league will not kick off, unless there's clarity on the Master Rights Agreement (MRA). FSDL, a joint venture between Reliance and Star which runs the league, are commercial partners of AIFF, with whom they signed a 15-year MRA in 2010. The agreement ends in December this year. Several meetings have been held between FSDL and AIFF over renewal of the agreement. Rather than an all-cash deal that gave the marketing partners rights to all federation properties, they have now suggested formation of a new holding company that governs, operates, commercialises and funds ISL, with clubs (60%, equal across all clubs), FSDL (26%) and AIFF (14%) as the shareholders.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
It's a dream to coach a team like this one at FC Goa: Manolo Marquez
The win was the first for Manolo Marquez against the Khalid Jamil side this season, having lost both games in the Indian Super League Panaji: FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez has been left in no doubt that his side deserved to win the Super Cup and book a continental spot. Goa defeated Jamshedpur FC 3-0 with a brace from Borja Herrera and another one from Dejan Drazic . The win was the first for Manolo against the Khalid Jamil side this season, having lost both games in the Indian Super League (ISL). 'Great tournament, fantastic group and they completely deserve to be the champions,' Manolo told reporters during the post-match media interaction on Saturday. 'We arrived here knowing we had to win four games, and we did it. I feel we started the game very well. We knew about the marking and after the first goal, they changed, played normally. Until half time, it was very difficult. But I feel that the second goal killed the game. And then the storm almost killed us. I don't know if the 3-0 score is fair, but we deserve to win, no doubt about it.' Goa won the Bandodkar Memorial Trophy at the start of the season with Manolo away on national duty for the semifinals and final. The Super Cup is his first national trophy in two years at the club. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pernas e pés inchados: Experimente isso para ajudar a drenar o fluído do edema aartedoherbalismo Undo The experienced Spanish coach has previously spoken in glowing terms about the dressing room atmosphere at the club. After the Super Cup triumph, his views were no different. 'In these two seasons, the team was very competitive with two different teams, different styles. This year the group is very, very strong. They are friends, more than teammates. I feel that we were second in the ISL Shield because we found a very strong Mohun Bagan. We lost the semifinal due to small details. Here, we wanted to win, wanted the Asian competition slot and we played four very good games. 'We are very happy because we got this trophy, but I am happier for the group. Not just the players, for all the club staff, a lot of people. I feel, maybe not the best in titles, but Goa is the best club in India in terms of organisation. When you are a coach, it's a dream to train a team like this because the atmosphere is top,' said Manolo. Goa wear black armbands Goa played the Super Cup final wearing black armbands as a mark of respect and solidarity with the victims of the stampede during the Lairai Devi jatra in Shirgao. 'FC Goa are deeply saddened by the tragic incident at the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this heartbreaking event. In this moment of grief for Goa, we stand united with our people,' the club said in a statement before the match.
