PANJIM: Goa and Kolkata has always shared a healthy rivalry for decades in Indian football and it continues to do so in the Hero Indian Super League.
Winning the opening fixture against Delhi Dynamos FC has done a lot of good to FC Goa’s confidence as they prepare to take on defending champions Atletico de Kolkata (ATK), at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda-Margao, on Wednesday. The kick-off is at 7 p.m.
In the last four encounters between the two heavy weights, FC Goa has failed to get the better of their opposition.
The semi-final defeat on penalties in the second leg, that too on home turf, is still fresh in the memories of the Goan fans and it promises to reignite the rivalries.
“I think it’s a normal game. If we did not win four games (against ATK), we lost only one. We drew one game because of the refereeing and I think we dominated ATK in the first semis last year in Kolkata,” said FC Goa’s Marquee manager Zico at the pre match press conference at a city hotel, on Tuesday.
The rivalry sparked off in the very first meeting between the two sides when ATK coach Habas had a punch-up with the then FC Goa Marquee player Robert Pires at half time in the tunnel at Fatorda.
Commenting on the rivalry Zico felt that, “It is a regular game and we do not have any rivalry. It’s a new team and a new game.”
FC Goa made an impressive start to their campaign unlike the last season. They played with flair and fluidity against Delhi Dynamos FC but a result is all that matters for The Gaurs.
“There is no point in controlling the match without creating danger for the other team. Control is good but it is even better to create opportunities. At the moment it’s hard to pick a favourite, both teams are on top. Though I can say there is a lot of motivation to win every game. We want to be in the final.”
ATK’s Marquee player Helder Postiga has been ruled out for a month after suffering a serious injury in their opening match against Chennaiyin FC where the Portuguese star scored a brace in the 3-2 victory.
However, Zico cannot take things lightly and feels his side is also facing the same problems with some of the players engaged in the India team that is taking part in the Russia World Cup 2018 Joint Pre Qualifications.
“We do not have many players also like Narayan Das but we have our team. Valdo replaced the injured Postiga and still scored which indicates their attacking capabilities,” stated the Brazilian tactician.
On the other hand, ATK coach Antonio Lopez Habas is on the opinion that their rivals are a new team from what they faced last season.
“Compared to last year, there is a big difference in the team this year. This year the players have adapted to my system better. Last year it was new to them. Now they know what I want of them,” Habbas opined.
Confirming Postiga’s injury, Habas said, “Postiga has a serious injury and we will miss him for a month. It is bad news for us but I have confidence in my players. Anything can happen in 90 minutes.”
A constraint, however, faced by both teams in this match would be that of “India players” going away on national duty. Habas said, “It’s the same problem for us, regarding losing players. We are without (Rino) Anto and (Arnab) Mondal. Yes, I did have a word with him (Stephen Constantine, India national coach) a long time ago. We have to collaborate with the national team. It was spoken during the draft and all Hero ISL teams have to comply.”
With the entire league up ahead, Habas seemed quite confident about his “fresh batch”. “There’s a big difference. We’ve signed 17 new players. I am happy with them and their performances,” he concludeed.
