PANJIM/MARGAO: Table toppers Atlético de Kolkata come into their fourth round match of the Hero Indian Super League with a lot of momentum. Antonio López Habas’ men have scored a tournament high six goals in three games with two impressive wins and a draw in their last encounter.
For Zico and his FC Goa team, wins have been hard to come by, with only two goals in two games, from defender Grégory Arnolin, and a solitary point. Goa will be pressing hard for a win tomorrow at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao in a battle between a team in form and one that has still to strike the right notes. The kick-off is at 7 p.m.
The home team are still searching for their maiden win and also lacked sharpness in the attack which saw them lose against Chennaiyin FC in their opening encounter and later failed to hold on to the lead against North East United FC in the away fixture.
Brazilain Andre Santos who played the last match looked good and combined well with Robert Pires and his presence will give the ‘Reddes’ stability in the defense as well as in the attack. But FC Goa will largely depend how Robert Pires and Edgar Marcelino negotiate the likes of Borja Fernandes, Luis Garcia and Jofre Mateu Gonzalez who have kept the attack moving for the away side.
FC Goa head coach and manager Zico is happy the way his boys performed till now. “We created lot of chances but could not cash on them and hopefully tomorrow we do not miss chances against a side who are good in defense as well as attack,” stated Zico.
About Santos, he said he was good on the field and played a composed game creating opportunities for his upfront to score.
Atlectico de Kolkata who are unbeaten are leading the table with seven points and coach Antonio Lopez Habas is little disappointed that his players are getting less time to recover from injuries as they have to play three matches within period of eleven days.
The visitors will be without Rakesh Mesih who received a red card in the last match. Luis Garcia who did not play in the second half of due to hamstring injury is also doubtful starter. But the good news is that Broja, who missed the last match because of red card is back in the side to bolster the attack.
