Calm Hrithik has shown he’s ready for ISL: Manolo Marquez

Panaji: FC Goa have managed three clean sheets in the last four matches with goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari grabbing attention.
Taking the field against Bengaluru FC due to an injury to experienced goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani, Hrithik gave a good account of himself during his debut this season. But it was against Hyderabad FC on Wednesday that the 22-year-old was kept busy as Goa won 2-0.
The goalkeeper made an impressive seven saves. Goa coach Manolo Marquez was impressed and made a special mention about his ability to stay calm even under pressure.
“Hrithik is showing that he's ready to play in ISL and he's playing very, very good, because he has a very good thing in a goalkeeper that is (staying) very calm,” Manolo said after the match. “He's a person that, even out of football, it's difficult to see him nervous. Everyone says that goalkeepers are crazy, but in this case, it's completely the opposite. He's a guy who is very focused.”
Hrithik was third choice goalkeeper last season, behind Arshdeep Singh and Dheeraj Singh. Both keepers have moved out of the club now, replaced by Kattimani and Lara Sharma. “When we finished the season, we spoke about how he had to go one step forward. And you never know, you have to be always ready. We have Kattimani in the squad, we have Lara still injured. And now Hrithik has shown that he can play (in ISL),” said Manolo.
After a slow start, Goa are now just two points behind leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant though the former champions have a match in hand. Manolo believes the race for the ISL Shield and playoff spots will go down to the wire.
“We have a game against Bengaluru FC in ten days. Every game is very difficult. In my five seasons here, this is the season that is more exciting in terms of who will qualify for the top six, who will be in the top two, who will be the champion of the Shield. I think that the fight will be till the end,” said Manolo.
The win against Hyderabad was Goa’s fourth in a row. Manolo though acknowledged that his team still has areas to improve.
“In terms of football, the most important thing is the score. But in terms of how we played, we can play better. In some moments, Hyderabad played good football. They had the same problem (as they had) in a lot of games; they are not the best team in both boxes and finally they played very well in some moments,” said Manolo.

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