BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
PANAJI
Bought in the winter transfer window mid January, Moroccan midfielder Hugo Boumous initiation into the starting XI of FC Goa came with great expectancy and hope. It was necessary for the new signing to help the team reignite the fading spark that once existed in its ranks as the battle of berths to the play-offs heated up.
With the deadly duo of Coro and Lanza negated by the studious resolve of opposition teams as the competition progressed, coach Sergio Lobera came short of finding answers to a Plan B as goals dried up while his team continued to leak goals. Consequentially, FC Goa’s early momentum in the competition went in reverse gear as their hopes to make it to the play-offs stood on the precipice.
For FC Goa, the quality needed from the bench did not come to the fore until circumstances presented an opportunity in suffice to highlight the credentials of Hugo Boumous. After impressing in the final quarter of an earlier match, the 22-year-old attacker was handed his first start last Wednesday against Delhi Dynamos FC at Fatorda. While he may have deputed for a suspended key midfielder, Manuel Lanzarote, he served notice to his inclusion with a fine goal until the disturbing trend of conceding a late goal ensured a split of points.
Boumous in the ensuing game in Pune on Sunday started again, as another foreign player, Edu Bedia sat out due to a suspension as well. The dynamic Moroccon player took the opportunity to further his claim for a regular start with a brilliant showing in attack to score a goal and turning provider for Corominas to enhance the credence of his golden boot arm band.
Speaking to The Goan ahead of their penultimate league match against ATK on Tuesday at the training ground in Bambolim, Boumous expressed confidence that the team will do well moving forward and make it to the play-offs. “The first game that I played as I joined FC Goa was difficult as we did not secure any points from the game. But having got full points in our last game, I feel will get maximum points until the last game of the season,” he assertively said.
But joining the team midway through the season, did it prove a hurdle to adjust quickly with the team hurtling towards the oblivion? Boumous responded otherwise. “I came into a very good team (FC Goa) with very good players. The objective was the same, to go into the play-offs while playing to the best of our game and score lot of goals,” the French-born versatile midfielder stated.
Based in Morocco and having played the league there earlier, and fellow Moroccan, Ahmed Jahouh with the Gaurs, did it help to fit into the team dynamics seamlessly? The industrious young medio refuted on the thought while acknowledging it was nice to play along with a good friend. “(Jahouh) He did not help me. I know how to play football. I am a professional player and thus I need to know how to play with every team, every player, everywhere,” Boumous declared.
While having a start in the last two matches may have been a result of key players in Manuel Lanzarote and Edu Bedia sitting out on suspension in the respective outings, he refused to the thought that it has pressurized him on maintaining a place in the team. “I do not have pressure. I know what I have to do on the pitch. I know I have to score, I have to make passes. Play well. I know what the coach expects from me. Even if I am not on the pitch, I know the player (on field) will play good football,” stated the selfless team player.
Talking of the new-found Coro-Boumous partnership that bodes well in the make-or-break phase for the Gaurs, Boumous expressed delight. “Playing with Coro has gone along well and easy for me as he is a very good player. It is the same with Lanza as well. It is very easy to find them (Coro and Lanza) on the pitch and thereby it becomes more easy to score in the game and win,” he maintained.
Put in a spot on his performance in the away Pune match, he favoured his goal over the wonderful assist that found Coro rediscover his goal-poaching instincts. “I found my goal more enjoyable as it was the second goal (FC Goa won 4-0) which was very important and it served us well (in the outcome). The goal which I scored was more beautiful with the position I found myself on the pitch,” savoring his second goal in as many matches the Boumous stated.
How will the mercurial Ahmed Jahouh’s enforced absence in the crucial home ATK game play to the team’s chances on Wednesday? The dynamic young Moroccan felt it would not affect the side as they have enough good quality options.
