It may seem like a paradox but FC Goa, who are currently at the bottom of the heap with just four points from six games, are seemingly the most attacking team in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Well, if you don’t believe it, the stats say so!After 23 games have been played, the Zico-coached side have managed to take the most shots (91), of which the most (49) have been on target. They have also forced the most number of corners (39) and enjoy the best Average Ball Possession (ABP) rate of 52.83 % in the competition so far. The last is not surprising given the team’s links to Dempo Sports Club whose mantra of ball possession and short passing is the stuff of legend in Indian football.In comparison, table toppers Atlético de Kolkata, who have 12 points from six games, have only totalled 60 shots of which 38 have been on target, while prolific Chennaiyin FC who have 10 points from five matches, have taken 64 shots of which 37 have been on target. Kolkata’s ABP rate is a paltry 47.5 % and Chennai’s is 49.2 %. Mumbai City FC, who have now zoomed into third position with nine points from six matches, also trail behind Goa on most counts.On other parameters, Zico’s blue brigade fares comparatively well too. They have sent in the second-highest number of crosses (100) as compared to Delhi Dynamos FC’s 108, occasioned perhaps by the presence of a certain Steven Dias in the capital city squad. In respect of good passing too, Goa at 1796 troop in behind Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United FC who lead the league with a score of 1858 each.Prominent contributors to the Goan attacking chorus are the passing specialists Youness Bengelloun (234), Narayan Das (199), Robert Pirès (149), Andre Santos (132) and Debabrata Roy (131), fullback Das and playmaker Santos have sent in 12 and 7 crosses respectively while the Brazilian has taken 14 shots in all.However, 1960 Rome Olympics alumnus and 1962 Asian Games gold medallist Fortunato Franco is not impressed with these statistics. “If they are such a good attacking side, where are the goals? Attack is expressed in terms of goals,” he told www.indiasuperleague.com in a telephonic conversation.His observation is vindicated by the fact that although table toppers Atlético de Kolkata and second placed Chennaiyin FC have fallen short on these attacking parameters, they have scored 10 and 11 goals respectively, the most by any sides in the competition. On the other hand, Goa have only found the net five times while conceding on nine occasions.The former Tata Sports Club and India midfielder, now settled in Colva, south Goa, is a VVIP invitee for Goa’s home matches. He feels that the side is balanced but things are not happening for them on the pitch. “In the end, somebody has to do the job for them,” the 78-year-old Franco opines.Of several quality players he has seen in the competition, Franco picks out Goa’s marquee player Pirès for special mention. “He reminds me of Socrates (the Brazilian legend). He’s like a conductor in the midfield orchestra, making things move,” he says.Franco thinks the ISL is a “good concept” and it should be encouraged. “It will give our players a chance to learn and move up to the next level,” he concludes.
