FC Goa talisman Edu Bedia has revealed he wanted to play for the club after extending his contract by one year. Bedia has joined hands with the Gaurs back in 2017 and since then he has played a key role for the club in the midfield.
Bedia will now team up with new head coach Carlos Pena, who was his teammate when FC Goa won the League Winner’s Shield in the 2019-20 season.
“I told Ravi (Puskur, director of football) many times (last season). I want to play only in FC Goa. If not, I’ll try to get another offer from a club in Spain. After this, I am going to play only in FC Goa,” Bedia said while talking to Times of India.
The 33-year-old Spanish footballer added that he plays for his team, teammates, and the fans, who support them throughout the season.
“I play for my team, my teammates, for FC Goa fans. I don’t play for other fans, other teams, other players. Sometimes I don’t like (what I am doing), but you have to kill time, create a little fight to finish the game and ensure you have the maximum points,” he said.
“If, for example, in minute 85, we are up one-nil and have suffered a lot in this moment, my job is to ensure that we keep the score. I know not everyone likes, but these things are important in professional football. You have to do this for your club,” he added.
Meanwhile, Carlos Pena will be the new manager for the Gaurs and Bedia feels the 38-year-old from Spain has all the experience as a player, which will help him in his coaching stint.
“People speak that he does not have experience as coach. He was a player for 15 years in Spain, in the best league, in first and second division. You don’t need more experience than that,” said Bedia.
Meanwhile, FC Goa had a disappointing run in Hero ISL 2021-22 season as they managed only four wins in 20 matches to finish at the ninth place in the standings, and thus they could not qualify for the semifinals. Thus, Carlos Pena will be determined to turn the tables in the next season.