Zico to step foot on Goan soil today

MAPUSA: Brazil’s legendary footballer, Zico, also known as Arthur Antunes Coimbra, will step foot on India soil for the second time after a gap of 10 years, on Monday, to take charge of Football Club Goa as head coach.

The 61-year old will arrive at Dabolim airport, Vasco, at 2.30 p.m.

With 48 goals in 71 official appearances for Brazil, Zico is the fourth highest goalscorer for his national team as he mesmerized the world in the early 70s and late 80s. The “White Pele’s” last visit to India was way back in 2004 as the coach of Japanese national team which played against India, in Kolkata.

FC Goa is scheduled to play their first Hero Indian Super League (ISL) match against Club Chennai on October 16, at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, at Fatorda.

The team will be training at Tilak Maidan, Vasco as soon as Zico takes the official charge. He will be assisted by Dempo Sports Club head coach Australian Arthur Papas.

Meanwhile, six of the team’s international stars already arrived in the State, on Sunday afternoon. They are Jan Seda (Czech Republic), Miroslav Slepicka (Czech Republic), Bruno Pinheiro (Portugal), Miguel Herlein (Portugal), Edgar Marcelino (Portugal) and Gregory Arnolin (France).