ISL 2022-23: Individual errors cost us – Captain Brandon Fernandes reflects on FC Goa’s season

FC Goa’s skipper Brandon Fernandes admitted that individual errors cost them in the recently concluded season of the Hero Indian Super League. Carlos Pena’s team could not qualify for the playoff stages after finishing at seventh place in the standings with eight wins in 20 matches.

The Gaurs suffered nine losses in the ninth season of the league and Fernandes admitted the team lacked consistency. FC Goa scored 36 goals in the season but they also conceded 35 goals, which led to their downfall.

Fernandes feels they could have done better defensively and things wouldn’t have gone south if they defended successfully.

“We did quite well for the most part (of the season) but lacked consistency,” Brandon told The Times of India.

“Individual errors cost us. We did really well and scored a lot of goals (36) but at the same time conceded 35, which is not good. Defensively, we could have done better. If we had the right balance, defensively, we would have been higher up the table,” Brandon opined.

In fact, the Gaurs could not peak at the fag end of the league stage. FC Goa managed a draw against Odisha FC but suffered three straight losses against Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, and eventual runners-up Bengaluru FC in the last three league stage matches. Thus, they could only accumulate a solitary point in their last four games.

“The last four (games) were tough. We had only one thing in mind, to go for a win, but the results did not go our way,” Brandon said.

With an AFC Cup spot to grab in the upcoming Hero Super Cup, Fernandes wants his team to be at their absolute best.

“There is the AFC Cup spot (on offer) in the Hero Super Cup, so we will go with the best team and show the best version of ourselves. We want to win and finish on a positive note. It will be really great for us,” Brandon stated.

Fernandes scored three goals and provided as many assists in the season but he feels he could have performed slightly better.

“The most important thing for me was to play all the games. I am really happy about that. With numbers (goals and assists), I think I could have done a lot more. I can always learn and improve as a player, learn from this season and add more numbers,” the midfielder said.