Panaji: From one Spanish coach, Liston Colaco has put his faith in the hands of another. Once rated as Goa’s rising star, the forward managed only eight appearances at FC Goa under Sergio Lobera across three seasons in the Indian Super League.

Now, he is looking to revive his career and has turned to Albert Roca, the newly appointed head coach at Hyderabad FC.

Hyderabad are at the bottom of the table and their ambitions may have ended earlier than expected, but Roca is determined to salvage some pride in their remaining six matches, where he will guide, before taking full charge next season. They host Odisha FC on Wednesday and Liston will hope to make an early impression.

The 21-year-old played only nine minutes during three substitute appearances this season and got just eight touches to the ball. Last season, Liston managed to play only one match for 17 minutes, while he played 53 minutes across four matches in the 2017-18 season when he joined FC Goa from Salgaocar FC for a record transfer fee.

“It was a good decision for Liston to move outside Goa because he was not getting chance over here. This is a time he shouldn’t think about money, he should play in the starting 11. Wherever he gets chance, he must go and play so that he shows his talent and he can even break into the Indian team. He has good shooting and knowledge of the game,” said Salgaocar FC head coach Anthony Pereira.

Pereira has watched Liston’s development closely and it was no surprise he emerged as the top scorer with 13 goals in the Goa Professional League in the 2016-17 season when they won the title.

Liston has done the state proud as well when Goa hosted the Santosh Trophy National Football Championship in 2017. The Davorlim lad scored crucial goals and was enterprising even though Goa fell short in the final to archrivals West Bengal. Mateus Costa, then coach of Goa, has no doubt of Liston’s abilities and feels he can now flourish.

“Hyderabad are right now struggling and don’t have that power in their striking and wings also. Liston is definitely a good player and sitting outside means the level he had reached will come down. At his age, Liston must play more often. FC Goa is a really good team and it was always going to be difficult for Liston there,” said Costa.

Liston may have to play as a withdrawn forward behind Marcelinho or even on the wings. International Adil Khan is the only other Goan who has cemented his place at Hyderabad. Sahil Tavora is still waiting for a chance, while former FC Goa captain and goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani’s debut was a nightmare in a 1-5 defeat against Kerala Blasters.

“Liston is a class player and he has proved it in the past. He is always amongst the goal scorers. But what happens is outstation players are always given a chance. It happened even during our playing days where teams tend to forget local talent,” said Costa.

Hyderabad have some tough matches ahead as they face Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC. But Liston will hope he can prove a point when Hyderabad travel to face current league leaders FC Goa on February 5.

