Goa has enjoyed some quality football over the past weeks and the State is gearing up to host another installment of the extravaganza called Indian Super League (ISL) starting October 8, when FC Goa host FC Pune City in their first home match of the tournament. Football fans in the State had the opportunity to see the future football stars of Asia in action during the AFC U-16 Championship, which concluded in Margao on Sunday
with Iraq claiming their maiden title. Now, it’s the turn of Zico’s Gaurs to take centre-stage in their cauldron of Fatorda. Over the two seasons, the Brazilian has forged a side that has brought his brand of entertaining free-flowing football to India. The revered legend is back for his third stint at the helm
of the club that has been taken over by new owners. Built on
the idealistic principles of Zico, the team has firmly united
the State’s previously fragmented football-loving population.
In the two previous seasons, the Gaurs have scored 58 goals,
one short of Chennaiyin FC’s figure
of 59, played the league’s most
sumptuous football, even finished
top of the standings in season two
but have fallen agonisingly short of
winning the league each year.
Zico has unfinished business in India
and this season seems to be the
coach’s best -- and perhaps the last
-- shot at the title. With the All India
Football Federation’s plans to
make ISL India’s top division league in the proposed three-tier
revamp of Indian football, the tournament is set to be restructured
into a longer running league. So, ISL in its current short
format is there to be won for Zico’s men. The Gaurs start as the
punters’ favourites alongside holders Chennaiyin FC to win
the third edition. Zico’s presence -- like that of Marco Materazzi
for Chennaiyin -- alone gives Goa an edge over most clubs.
FC Goa, though, will be missing some of its key players from
last season. Among them are Leo Moura, Goa’s player of the
season who wasn’t released by his parent club this year, and
his former midfield partners, such as Jonatan Lucca, who has
moved on to FC Pune City. However, the core of Goa’s defence
and attack remains intact. India international Robin Singh
joins the club’s 2015 top-scorer Reinaldo upfront, while the
two exciting Indian wingers, Romeo Fernandes and Mandar
Rao Desai, who owe a lot of their development to Zico, will
continue to burn the flanks. Gregory Arnolin and Luciano
Sabrosa have returned to join fellow centre-back Lucio; the
Brazilian having been retained as ‘marquee player’.
FC Goa begin their quest for the elusive title today against
NorthEast United. It’s time for Zico’s boys to deliver.
