ISL 2022 LIVE: Edu Bedia Exclusive - Playing in front of 20,000 fans is a special feeling'

ISL 2022 LIVE – EBFC VS FCG LIVE: Edu Bedia EXCLUSIVE: Edu Bedia, has had a distinguished career over the years under several different coaches for FC Goa. His ability to successfully adapt to varied playing styles has earned him a special reputation inside the club and among the Gaurs’ supporters.

The Spaniard, who will play for FC Goa in his sixth straight ISL season, has been there the longest among international players, experiencing both their normal highs and unexpected lows. In addition to having a soft spot in his heart for the Goan team, he has established FC Goa’s reputation in the tournament for not just consistency but also for dedication and commitment to the team. Follow Indian Super League LIVE updates on Insidesport.IN

ISL 2022 LIVE: Record- breaker Edu Bedia looking forward to playing with new teammates, excited to be amongst fans, ‘Playing in front of 20,000 people in the stands is a special feeling’

EBFC VS FCG LIVE: Ahead of MEGA against East Bengal, FC Goa STALWART Edu Bedia says, “I am really looking forward to playing with my new teammates”- Check Out

Also Read: EBFC VS FCG LIVE: East Bengal to overturn opening day blues against FC Goa at home- Check Out ISL 2022-23 Preview, Squad, Predicted XI – Follow LIVE

ISL 2022 LIVE: Record- breaker Edu Bedia looking forward to playing with new teammates, excited to be amongst fans, ‘Playing in front of 20,000 people in the stands is a special feeling’

Ahead of FC Goa’s first encounter of the season with Kolkata giants East Bengal, we here at InsideSport.IN spoke to Edu Bedia.

Edu Bedia has added a new feather to his cap. The Spanish midfielder becomes the first-ever foreigner in the Indian Super League to play six consecutive seasons for one club.

IN: You have been associated with Indian football and with FC Goa for the last six seasons, you are becoming the first foreigner to achieve this feat. So how do you look into this?

Edu: Goa is my second home. I have played in many teams, but never more than two, three years maximum. This is my sixth year here and I’m very happy to stay in this club.

ISL 2022 LIVE: Record- breaker Edu Bedia looking forward to playing with new teammates, excited to be amongst fans, ‘Playing in front of 20,000 people in the stands is a special feeling’

Despite winning the first League Winners’ Shield in the 2019–20 season, FC Goa has struggled to establish themselves in the league during the prior two years, failing to go past the quarterfinals. After the poor run, ATK Mohun Bagan’s head coach Juan Ferrando took over the Kolkata Giants midway through the previous season, throwing the team out of order and causing them to finish in ninth place and fail to go past the league stage.

However, the only spark of their season was winning the Durand Cup in the pre-season. In fact it was Edu Bedia himself who scored the winner in the final against Kolkata might Mohammedan SC.

IN: Last season you guys were the champions of the Durand Cup and as the season progressed in the Indian Super League (ISL) it didn’t work out for your team. So, how is the team going to turn back the bad patch and what are your ambitions for this season?

Edu: We have worked a lot in pre-season trying to get the best condition both physically and mentally for the new season. For the ISL, we have an amazing team this year with a great coaching staff and the most important now is step-by-step work for each game.

Happy for his team, happy with the campaign, FC Goa captain, Man of the Match and the Golden Ball winner Edu Bedia shares his thoughts as they end their Durand Heist on a high🏆#DurandCup2021 #Football #aiff #CherryTree #BlackPanther #FCG #ForcaGoa #RiseAgain #Uzzo #MDSPFCG pic.twitter.com/6fScsEFFt4

— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) October 3, 2021

IN: In the Durand Cup last season, it was your magical goal that led FC Goa to victory, But this season we saw the club send their young squad to the tournament, rather than the senior squad. Any special reason for that?

Edu: It was my first time playing in the Durand Cup. It was a good tournament but we didn’t get the best conditions to play as compared to the ISL. In Durand Cup, you have to play a game and rest and have the proper conditioning for the next game. I repeat again, we want to get in the best condition for any ISL game, and I think it was a good decision of the club to send the youngsters to the tournament.

EBFC VS FCG LIVE: Ahead of MEGA against East Bengal, FC Goa STALWART Edu Bedia says, “I am really looking forward to playing with my new teammates”- Check Out

The club has regenerated and is aiming to relive the golden days with Carlos Pena’s alluring offensive style of play. Carlos Pena, a former Gaur, has returned to the club in a coaching capacity. Alvaro Vazquez, Iker Guarrotxena, and Marc Valiente are three of the new Spanish players who the Spaniard has signed because they fit in nicely with his ideology, and Bedia has expressed support for the acquisitions.

IN: Carlos Pena is the new coach for the team. You have previously played with him at this very club. What is your relationship with him?

Edu: Carlos is now my coach. I respect my coach we have a good relationship with him when I played with him for three years.

EBFC VS FCG LIVE: Ahead of MEGA against East Bengal, FC Goa STALWART Edu Bedia says, “I am really looking forward to playing with my new teammates”- Check Out

IN: FC Goa had been one of the most prominent sides that have been very active in the transfer market since day one. The club has bought in a huge pool of excited talented players both the Indian contingent and as well the foreigners. What do you think of your team and how excited are you to play with your new teammates?

Edu: We have a great team this season. The transfers have been really good. The Spanish players are amazing. The Indian players are also extremely talented. The players match the style of play of FC Goa and I am really looking forward to playing with my new teammates.

ISL 2022 LIVE: Record- breaker Edu Bedia looking forward to play with new teammates, excited to be amongst fans, ‘Playing in front of 20,000 people in the stands is a special feeling’

It is after two whole years, that ISL will return to the home and away format. After two years of being in bio-bubble, the fans will return to the stadium. As much as the fans are enthralled to be back. Edu resonated with their feeling.

IN: After a long break, the fans will be back in the stadium. What does it feel for you and your team to once again play in front of the fans?

Edu: Yes, we missed the fans a lot for the past two seasons, despite playing in Goa and in empty stadiums. It was very tough for us without the fans. Now at this moment, we need them in Fatorda for every game. Playing in front of 20,000 people in the stands is a special feeling. Our fans are crazy about football and we will try to win every game for them.

IN: You have played in Spain and now in India. The fans in Goa are crazy about their game and the same can be said about the Spanish fans. Any similarities or dis-similarities that can you can say about the Spanish and Goa fans?

Edu: In Spain, there are many cities with a lot of funds. But they are different. You know in Goa, people are more passionate about football. They always try to push you to give your best. In Spain it is different, if you lose one game in Spain, it becomes very difficult to play the next game.