Panaji: FC Goa have received an unexpected boost with Aakash Sangwan deciding to continue with the club for at least another year.The left-back was an important member of Manolo Marquez’s side for the last two seasons, winning the Super Cup and making it to continental championships. He was consistent too, and even made it to the national team.Surprisingly, before the end of last season, Sangwan and Goa agreed to mutually part ways. Now, the two have joined hands again, with the India defender accepting an offer from the club.The formal contract signing is expected to happen in the next 24-48 hours.“We are glad to have Aakash back in the mix,” a senior club official told TOI on Saturday. “He is someone who has been a very important part of our story for the last two years and we are glad he will be there for the future too.”Goa are completely unrecognisable from last season’s Super Cup winning squad with several departures. The foreign contingent is entirely new, and from among the regular starters, only captain Sandesh Jhingan and Udanta Singh have been retained. Now, with Sangwan stepping in, there will be stability at the back.Coach Gouramangi Singh opted for development squad player Akash Singh Konsam as his first-choice left back for the AFC Champions League Two playoff against FK Arkadag in Turkmenistan. Saveme Tariang, the new signing from Shillong Lajong FC, is another option.Goa lost the playoff 3-0 and will now feature in the AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asian football.Meanwhile, Goa thought they had managed to convince Hrithik Tiwari, only for the goalkeeper to later move to Odisha FC.“Hrithik had agreed terms with FC Goa. We were at the paperwork stage, but overnight, he turned his back on the deal,” said another official.The club also briefly held talks with Albino Gomes but were nowhere close to an agreement.
