In an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda, Brandon Fernandes looks back on those memorable matches with FC Goa and what lies ahead.
Being pitted against the best in Asia, the importance of teamwork was not lost on the 27-year-old. He said:
A playmaker in Brandon Fernandes’s mold thrives when his team controls possession. In the AFC Champions League, FC Goa had to play without the ball for long periods and defend quite a bit. He said:
Used to playing further forward in a No. 10 role behind the striker, Brandon Fernandes had to adapt his game in Asia. Explaining how he was not fussed about playing a deeper role, he said:
Brandon Fernandes becomes mentor for young FC Goa stars
In recent years, FC Goa have been promoting youngsters from their academy to the first team. The likes of Princeton Rebello, Christy Davis and Muhammed Nemil have all taken that path. Explaining how at 27, Brandon Fernandes almost feels like a veteran compared to them, he said:
But even with his experience and quality, Brandon Fernandes has his own mentors in the squad in the form of Edu Bedia and Alberto Noguera. The two Spaniards play alongside Brandon Fernandes in the Goa midfield so picking their brains was a no-brainer! He said:
FC Goa head coach Juan Ferrando is the second Spaniard that Brandon Fernandes has played under. His predecessor Sergio Lobera was the coach when he signed for the club. The Spanish passing style is clearly visible in FC Goa’s gameplay but there seem to be subtle differences as well, as Brandon Fernandes explained:
FC Goa are one of the ISL teams to have brought their full squad to the Durand Cup. They won all three of their group stage matches and will now face Delhi FC in the quarterfinals.
Brandon Fernandes also believes that the younger players in the squad will get good exposure in the Durand Cup. He went on to say:
Also Check Out: FC Goa Player Squad
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