Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: FC Goa coach Zico believes Chennaiyin FC may have lost their previous two matches but they are a tough team and his side won’t take them lightly in Sunday’s game at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
“Despite Chennaiyin losing the last two games…they could have easily won them, and on Friday NorthEast United played very well against FC Pune City, they too could have won the game. Here football is very levelled. No stronger or weaker team. The game [on Sunday] will be hard. Even in the game against Atlético de Kolkata, Chennai dominated, and with two mistakes they let Atlético de Kolkata score. We are well prepared for Sunday, we will give everything. We will play our football and search for our win,” Zico said.
FC Goa beat Delhi Dynamos FC in their season opener and played a 1-1 draw with defending champions Atlético de Kolkata. Sunday’s match will make it three outings for the Goan team in eight days. Despite little break, Zico confirmed there was no fitness issues in the team.
“Three games in eight days isn’t a problem. It was raining and the ground was heavier, that gets the players tired. But all the players are fit and we are prepared to play,” he said.
The Brazilian was happy with marquee player Lucio’s performance.
“It’s all a result of his hard work throughout his career. He’s a player who takes care of his body. When you sow a good seed, you reap a good fruit afterwards. I’m sure we will be using him throughout the tournament. He’s always ready. He is a great example of a true professional that all the other players in the team can look up to. Not just in football, but in life too,” Zico said.
Zico also praised 23-year-old Indian defender Keenan Almeida who accompanied him to the press conference.
“He’s been good, I encourage him to do better at what he’s good at and not go for something different. He’s good in defence, the main objective of any defender. He’s good technically, physically, and supports Romeo Fernandes well,” Zico said.
