AGENCIES
NEW DELHI
League results and current form should give FC Goa an advantage as they take on the might of Delhi Dynamos in the first leg semi-final of the Indian Super League in Delhi on Friday.
FC Goa finished on top of the ISL league ladder and won both their matches against Delhi Dynamos. The last win came in Delhi last week when Zico’s boys bounced back from two goals down in the first session to script a remarkable 3-2 victory that took them to the top of the table and left Delhi Dynamos in fourth place.
Despite losing both league games against FC Goa, Delhi Dynamos coach Roberto Carlos knows his team has enough potential to create an upset and make it to the final on December 20. “The semi-final is of 180 minutes, so tomorrow, nothing will be decided. We have to keep performing like we did in the first half of the last game (against FC Goa). For us, this is going to be a nice game. We will do our duty but the match will be decided in Goa,” said Carlos.
The return leg will be played in Goa on December 15.
Until their stutter in the last two games after they achieved qualification, Delhi Dynamos has been one of the most consistent team in the league and Carlos has now set his eyes on the trophy. “I still have three matches here and I want to take Delhi to the final. For me, finishing second or third is like finishing last,” said the Brazilian World Cup winner.
FC Goa, on the other hand, have been in the semi-finals before and would have learnt from last season when they lost to Atletico de Kolkata on penalties. “Our players are a little bit more experienced from last year, so they are more used to such situations. But this is a completely different team where we changed about 15 players. Not just us, even Delhi is a completely different team (from last year),” said FC Goa chief coach Zico.
Zico’s team finished on top of the league ladder but the Brazilian great says there are no prizes for finishing the league as winners. “I hope we can improve. Last year we got to the semi-final and lost. This year, we hope to win and reach the final. There were a lot of expectations from us and we played good football and a fair game,” said Zico.
Zico’s team has been hampered by injuries all through the season but all players are understood to be available for the crucial first leg semi-final. Asked whether there are any injury concerns, Zico told reporters, “Thank God, no injuries.”
