PANJIM: The bench strength of FC Goa will be tested as Zico’s injury hit side take on in-form FC Pune City in the Hero Indian Super League match, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Friday. The kick-off is at 7 p.m.
FC Goa are currently sweating on injuries. Scottish Darryl Duffy is down with a knock he suffered in the match against Mumbai City FC. Reinaldo and Victorino Fernandes are not completely fit while defender Keenan Almeida is yet to recover from pneumonia.
“All the injuries are very bad for the team but we are going to play only fully fit players. It is better to rest injured player for two or three matches rather than field them and rule them out of the tournament,” said Zico at the pre-match conference at a city hotel, on Thursday.
FC Goa’s recent performance in a 0-2 defeat to Mumbai City FC is a big concern for Marquee manager-cum-coach Zico, who will be forced to hand strikers Joaquim Abranches and Haokip their debuts.
Midfield maestro Jofre did feature in the second half of the Mumbai City FC game after coming back from injury and the Spaniard is likely to play a key role on Friday.
Marquee player and 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil, Lucio took part in the team’s training session on Wednesday and comes as good news for the home fans after missing three matches due to injury.
Lucio did take part in the practice session on the eve of the match at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco but a final call on his fitness is in the hands of the team doctor.
“Lucio has been training again but a final decision on his fitness has to be made. I trust all my players. It does not matter who is out, but who is in,” said the Brazilian tactician on his team’s injuries.
Although, in the top four of the standing with 10 points from six matches, FC Goa has one of the worst defensive records in the tournament with a goal average reading a negative one.
FC Goa had taken a defensive approach in the previous two matches after speedy medio’s Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai were only introduced as second half replacements.
The Goan duo has the tendency to dictate the pace of the match and is up to Zico to decide to play his cards right.
Speaking on Romeo’s performance so far, Zico said, “Romeo was not performing as expected and he can wait a little to start (in the starting 11). We have a lot of players and may be on Friday we will play a different formation.”
FC Pune City have been clinical in finishing, especially in aerial battles and FC Goa’s defence will have to address the issue accordingly.
“We know the fact that FC Pune City’s majority of goals have come through headers and we will alert our players during the training session. However, it’s all different during the game and mistakes do happen. We are preparing to take on a very good team and we have to do our best to win,” Zico added.
Meanwhile, the injuries have opened doors for Joaquim Abranches to make his debut for FC Goa against his former employers.
“It is a great opportunity for me. Although, we have injury concerns, coach Zico believes in us,” said Abranches, the former Dempo SC star.
At the other end, FC Pune City will look to cement their place on top the table. The tournament is turning to be very competitive in its second edition as all the teams have suffered defeats.
David Platt’s side come into this tie after two successive wins that have done a lot of good to the team’s morale and moreover the former Manchester City assistant coach has no concerns of injuries to any of his players.
“I am aware of the football Zico and FC Goa like to play. My tactics will change after analysing our opponents. We have to concentrate on the principles we opted for during the pre-season,” expressed David Platt.
The encounter will also witness a star galore as FC Goa co-owner Virat Kohli along with 14-time World Billiards champion Pankaj Advani, Bollywood actors Varun Dhawan and Irfan Khan will be gracing the tie.
