After FC Goa achieved back-to-back AFC Champions League Two qualification thanks to retaining the AIFF Super Cup, head coach Manolo Marquez said he wanted to make it a habit to play at the top level.
«We have to play competitive matches every year. We have to qualify every season to raise our level because when you play against better players your level improves,» Marquez said.
FC Goa won on penalties against East Bengal on Sunday after a gripping 120 minutes failed to keep the two teams apart.
«I think both teams deserved a cup. They played very well. You have to realize that East Bengal have not played many competitive matches; at least we can play in the Champions League 2. There are big gaps between the matches. Sometimes it is difficult to train. Even though it (the Super Cup final) was 0-0, it was interesting,» the Spaniard said.
East Bengal assistant coach Bino George felt his team created better chances and took the match to the defending champions.
«We had more chances at FC Goa’s home ground. We played a good match but penalty shootouts are unpredictable. We completely dominated the first half,» he said.
However, Marquez felt that the goalless draw was ultimately a good reflection of the match.
«I don’t share this opinion. There were moments for both teams. We hit the post twice and had the clearest chances. Both teams were better at certain moments. It was a very tactical game and the score was fair in my opinion.»
“I don’t really believe when people say that penalties are a lottery, but today I had the feeling that it was because both teams were completely dead,” he said.
FC Goa missed at its first attempt when captain Borja Herrera hit the crossbar, but were given a reprieve after Mohammed Rashid and PV Vishnu faltered from penalties.
«I had a lot of confidence in our team and our goalkeeper. I felt sorry for my team because I didn’t want to let my teammates down (with the missed penalty),» Herrera said after the final.
«It’s a really nice feeling to do this for our fans. Because we’ve lost two semi-finals here in consecutive seasons in the ISL, and we knew that was not okay. We felt they deserved this win and this trophy.»
RELATED: FC Goa beats East Bengal on penalties to defend AIFF Super Cup title
Marquez admitted that home advantage played a role in Goa’s shootout win.
«When I played with Hyderabad FC in Kolkata, we lost twice on penalties (in Durand Cup 2022 and ISL 2022-23), and today we played at home and won. The crowd is there, the motivation is there, but the shootouts are also about small details,» he said.
George also felt that Goa benefited from playing the final at home.
«Today I think the fans made the difference, 100 percent. In so many moments of the match it made a difference (sic). You could see one of their players going up to the supporters and urging them to make more noise,» he said.
On the future of the Indian Super League at stake, Marquez said: “This is not the time to speak, but it is not just for the players or the fans, everyone needs football because we cannot stop.
“It’s easy to criticize everyone, but you have to deal with that one day, and that day has to come as soon as possible.”
Published on December 8, 2025
