AGENCIES, CHENNAI: FC Goa head coach Zico understands the importance of a first win of the season as they play defending champions Chennaiyin FC in their 2016 Hero Indian Super League match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, on Thursday.
The Gaurs remain the only team without a point at the end of the second round however Zico feels his team is prepared to turn things around after consecutive losses against NorthEast United FC and FC Pune City.
“We are well prepared to look for a good result. We played well in the first two matches although we didn’t get a result. We are prepared for a nice match,” said Zico, adding that he does not look into the past for any added motivation.
“In the first two matches, we created so many opportunities. If you look at the stats, the two best players were the goalkeepers. We are playing an attacking game but unfortunately the goals are not coming. That confidence to score is missing,” said Zico.
While, Chennaiyin FC chief coach Marco Materazzi has challenged his team to show their love for the club and start winning, or risk not just missing out on a place in the Hero Indian Super League semi-finals.
Materazzi, a World Cup winner with Italy, has been the chief coach of Chennaiyin FC since inception in 2014 and won the Hero ISL title last season. This year, though, Chennaiyin FC have just a point from two matches and Materazzi knows they need massive improvements against FC Goa at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa contested a fiery final last season with Chennaiyin FC scoring twice at the fag end of the match to emerge 3-2 winners in dramatic fashion.
“If I had the chance to change all 11 players, possibly 12 if you can include me, I would have done that in the last game (against Delhi Dynamos). But the regulations say I can change only three. I have to put in the best eleven tomorrow,” said Materazzi, expressing his disappointment over the 1-3 loss against Delhi Dynamos which in his opinion was the worst in the three editions of ISL.
We are ready to go: Robin
AGENCIES, CHENNAI: Robin Singh will be raring to get on the pitch as FC Goa take on Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai on Thursday.
The Indian international missed the Gaurs’ first two games due to injury. He scored four goals for Delhi Dynamos FC in Hero ISL 2015 and enjoyed a good pre-season with last season’s runners-up in the build-up to the third edition.
Q: When will you be back on the pitch?
A: The injury is getting better as we speak. Personally, I feel I am fit to play but it depends on the coaches and the doctors, what they say and want me to do.
Q: How is the team shaping up?
A: The team is great but we haven’t have had the best of starts. But the boys are ready to go; we are going to come out all guns blazing against Chennaiyin FC.
Q: How crucial is today’s game?
A: The match is crucial as I mentioned earlier we haven’t had the best of starts. Not only us but for Chennaiyin FC as well. So now it comes down to who wants it more. Personally speaking and on behalf of the boys, I can say we want this win. We want to get our wins in order and just want to play some good football, score some goals and play attacking football. Hopefully tomorrow is the day.
