FC Goa have a good dressing room, big chance to win ISL trophy: Rowllin Borges

Panaji: Rowllin Borges’ time on the field this season has been limited with the midfielder starting in only six of FC Goa’s 22 matches so far in the Indian Super League (ISL).
When he moved from Mumbai City FC to Goa last season, he was the first-choice domestic midfielder to partner Carl McHugh. This season injuries held him back, with Sahil Tavora and Ayush Chhetri being preferred by coach Manolo Marquez.
The former India midfielder, though, has enough confidence and belief in himself, and now fully recovering from an injury that kept him out for long, he’s keen to make up for lost time for the remainder of the season.
“I can do better (in games) for the rest of the season,” Rowllin told TOI during the pre-match media interaction on Monday. “After recovering from injury, it's difficult for every player and I'm trying my best. Whenever coach thinks I am ready to help the team, I think he is going to believe me. Until then, I have to work hard in training, show him that I'm ready. That’s how I have to move ahead.”
Goa finished second in the race for the ISL Winners’ Shield with Mohun Bagan Super Giant being unstoppable. Rowllin said had it not been for a slow start to their campaign, they could have stretched the Kolkata giants to the limit.
“Our season has been good, but I think the start could have been better. After the six matches, I think we have performed really well. But at the start, we could have done better as a group,” said Rowllin.
Goa picked up just six points from their first six matches, winning one and losing two, both at home. It was a shaky start but the return of injured players like Sandesh Jhingan, Iker Guarrotxena and Mohammed Yasir pushed the team forward. Goa eventually could finish only second and have now set their eyes on the ISL trophy.
Rowllin won the ISL Shield and Trophy double during his time with Mumbai City under Sergio Lobera. Asked if Goa can break their duck, Rowllin responded with an emphatic “of course.”
“We have a big chance to win the trophy. The dressing room, I think it's far, far better from what we had in Mumbai. Every player in the dressing room here enjoys everyone's company. The foreigners mix well with the Indians. This is a good group,” said Rowllin.
The midfielder is expected to be part of the starting lineup for Goa’s home clash against bottom-placed Mohammedan Sporting on Tuesday. With little at stake, questions are being asked whether the players would be motivated, but Rowllin believes otherwise.
“We have secured the second spot, but when you step inside the field, the only thing that matters is to win. Whoever plays, doesn't matter. Whenever we go inside, we want to win. We will play with this mentality,” he said.