FC Goa winger Seiminlen Doungel believes that his team is building a strong squad for the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) season. After winning the inaugural League Winners Shield last season, the Gaurs booked a place in the group stage of the AFC Champions League and Doungel is thankful to be a part of Goa’s squad.

“I am hoping to have a good (Hero ISL) season ahead. We are making a good team for the AFC Champions League as well as the Hero ISL. I am so grateful to be a part of FC Goa,” Doungel said in an interview with khelnow.com.

The winger from Manipuri is aware of the challenges that await the Gaurs and he is hoping that Goa have a strong pre-season to get them in-shape for the campaign. “We are a new team, most of our players are new, the coaches are new, so we need to have a really good pre-season. We are the ones that are going to represent India so it is very important. We need to know the value and we have to be very competitive among ourselves also.”

“This is the one thing that all the players should know and I am looking forward to having a good season because I am very serious about the AFC Champions League because we are the team that will represent India and it is also a very huge competition. I hope and believe that we will perform well in the coming AFC Champions League,” he added.

The 26-year-old, who netted once and provided an assist for Goa in Hero ISL 2019-20, went on to emphasize the importance of understanding and cohesion for the team. “To perform in AFC, not only the team but every player should take responsibility. If we want to be a good team in the AFC Champions League, it is important we understand each other as players, the coach, and the management so that we can be a very strong team. The understanding and the environment should be good enough,” he explained.

Doungel also spoke highly of Goa’s new head coach Juan Ferrando, saying, “I have read about him… I believe he is a very smart coach. He must have studied about the FC Goa players, management, playing style etc. He has a determined mindset that he wants to win and give a chance to the young players and other players to prove themselves. That positivity will encourage players to help each other.”

“Working hard and listening to the coach and what he wants us to do, if those two combine and the competition is tough enough among the players then I think we can have a good season as well, even in a top competition like the AFC Champions League,” Doungel added.