PANJIM: Following FC Goa’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Delhi Dynamos FC in the second-leg of the ISL semi finals at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, fans of the club, players and the management staff were in a state of absolute delirium.
With the finals set to be held at Goa’s fortress on Sunday, preparations have to be made in order to get the team ready to slug it out against Chennaiyin FC who edged out last year’s winners, Atletico de Kolkata.
Earlier in the season, Chennaiyin destroyed the Goan defence in a 4-0 thrashing of the home side and Goa will be keen on shoring up that aspect of their game. After a day of rest and relaxation following the match, the squad was cut off from the media and everyone else in a bid to keep tactics secure.
Heavy training at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco and gym sessions are the order of the day as Zico attempts to get his squad ready for the big final. In a short conversation with defender Pronay Halder, the Indian international mentioned that the result in the semi-finals has galvanised the team.
“This result was very good for us. It gives us confidence ahead of the finals and we are motivated and focused on getting a good result there,” he said.
Asked about the style employed by the coach, Halder was evasive and mentioned that it varies from match to match depending on the opponents. “I can’t really say much about our style as such. You will see in the finals. We do give our 100% in training and on the pitch and our main aim is to keep the fans happy and that can be achieved by winning,” Halder explained.
The local Goan players in the squad have been staying with the rest of the team at a hotel in the capital city in order to get a sense of togetherness and so that training, gymming and other sessions are made easier.
