The 11th edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) begins at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Fatorda, today, September 17, with FC Goa still unable to purse the prize money, and the tournament for football enthusiasts – not FC Goa fans – looking at the start with the foot backward.
The new football season in India, starts with a conflict of interest. For the first time – and possibly the first in the world – the coach of a club team is also the coach of the country.
In the past, players have been accused of giving their all when playing for club and not for country because of the financial incentives. Forget incentives, club or country – job at any cost seems most important now.
Coach Manolo won an ISL title, and football enthusiasts are aware that he won it when the tournament was played in a bubble due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and bubbles have no shelf life.
Secondly, he transitioned to FC Goa when Hyderabad FC was facing some uncertainties. Along with him came several new players, which has led to a shift in the team's composition and a decrease in opportunities for local talent.
For the first time – and possibly the first in the world – the coach of a club team is also the coach of the country.
Since FC Goa was bought by Jaydev Mody, the departure of Brandon Fernandes to Mumbai City FC is the biggest loss the team has faced and will face in the years to come.
Brandon is the face of Goa in ISL, and playing without such a face is the riskiest bet, especially because the team is to define the story of football in Goa.
First, Liston Colaco had to leave, Brandon followed, and soon after, it was time for Devendra Mulgaonkar – three lads capable of adding colour to Indian football.
Their departure was good for them and even better for football enthusiasts for whom, seeing local blood excel on the field is foremost.
We may not be able to cheer our players from close often, but for sure, the enthusiasm will never die wherever and whoever they are playing for. This is one tenet of the game.
When ISL started, FC Goa was owned by Shrinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar, two buddies who were part of Goan football teams that fluttered the flag of Goa the world over, not just India.
Their FC Goa consisted of players that represented the teams from Goa, and hence, the mad demand for tickets. This include black tickets too.
When ISL started, FC Goa was owned by Shrinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar, two buddies who were part of Goan football teams that fluttered the flag of Goa the world over, not just India.
The shift started after the team changed hands, and, slowly, the local element started diminishing, and reached a nadir when Manolo left Hyderabad. The 10th edition started with hope, but ended, never coming close to any glory.
FC Goa is trying hard to create a fan base, not realising that fans cannot be created overnight.
Simply said, fan following is hereditary. It flows from one generation of a family to another just like the following flowed when the previous owners were at the helm.
The story is different now and worse still, the people at the helm are people for whom football in Goa hardly matters – money does, the return on investment does, and this has no link to the game’s growth.
FC Goa is trying hard to create a fan base, not realising that fans cannot be created overnight.
With Brandon out and no Goan player who can leave the masses on a roar in the stands, season 11 is going to be painful. The roar of ‘Brandon’ will be missed, and with it, the magic of football.
It is surely not going to be a whitewash because the team has elements capable of seizing the rare occasion, but once again, football is about consistency when it comes to enthusiasts.
When the results are bad, Manolo does not shy away from throwing the onus on his boys. He has done it often as coach of FC Goa in the past and he has done it as coach of the Indian team in his first matches. Perhaps it will not matter much.