Allan D’Cruz
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: FC Goa fielded as many as nine domestic players, including five Goan players in the starting eleven against the Highlanders in their crucial encounter, and the Indian majority did give their best with a comeback win on Friday.
Many wondered the decision of Zico but little did they know the reason for this line-up. After suffering a major blow on November 8 following their match against Kerala Blasters that saw the Gaurs lose two vital players – Richarlyson and Gregory Arnolin due to suspension, there was plenty more time left for to pile further misery on Zico. The AIFF Disciplinary Committee further suspended Luciano and Rafael Dumas for two matches on disciplinary ground on Friday evening that ruled them out of the match against Highlanders, which Zico learnt only at 1 p.m. on the match day.
With the previous match being played three days back, Zico was informed on the match day by the committee which left him in a mix.
“It’s at 1p.m. that we received a mail on the players suspension. We played three days back and if they would have informed earlier we could have prepared better,” said Zico.
“So we practice here one day before with one team in mind and one strategy and on the day of the match we got to know two of our players were suspended,” added Zico.
With most of the first team players being out either being injured or suspended, Zico named 15 players for the tie with only four substitutes, which included two goalkeepers, Fulganco and Denzil Franco.
However, the team performed beyond expectations in the first half that kept the score line goalless in the first half. But the nervy second half performance continued for the Gaurs as Seityasen Singh gave the visitors lead in the 50th minute. However, Robin Singh silenced the critics with a fine equaliser before Romeo scored an injury time goal that earned the Gaurs three vital points, not forgetting FC Goa were reduced to 10 men following Sahil’s second booking in the 72nd minute.
This could be the first time in ISL history a club has fielded nine domestic players in a single match, and the result proved positive. FC Goa’s performance also earned them praises from NorthEast United FC coach Nelo Vingada.
“Congratulations to FC Goa because playing with 10 men with lot of problems and with majority of Indian players –they fought in the game till the last minute and won,” he said.
This could be the turnaround the FC Goa fans were expecting — their determination, enthusiasm, Never say die attitude and fight till the last breath — were clearly visible on Friday. Can the Gaurs take it off from here, only time will tell!
