As FC Goa head into Thursday's first-leg semi-final clash against Delhi Dynamos in Delhi, Gaurs' head coach Zico says his team will continue to play the attacking brand of soccer keeping in mind that it was because of the fans' overwhelming support that the team managed to reach the semi-finals of ISL for the second season running. In an interview from Delhi, Zico told The Goan that the team is playing keeping in mind every single FC Goa fan who supports the players with all the passion.
Looking back at this ISL, it's back to where it all began for FC Goa, playing against Delhi Dynamos again in the play-offs after beating them twice in the league phase. It's advantage Goa, isn't it? No every game is different for us in ISL. Past performance or a win in the previous match is history. So going into tomorrow's game we do not consider ourselves as favourites.
Will there be a new approach in terms of strategy going into the semi finals?
I think looking back at the games played we have approached each outing in a certain way. But as to how we approach it depends on the situation. Every opponent we have played against, the team's think tank has analysed differently. We just hope that the same outcome doesn't repeat like what happened in last year's semi-finals against Atletico De Kolkata.
Is it perfect for the team to play the second leg in Goa, considering that you begin first in Delhi?
I think it’s good for both the teams and not only for FC Goa because we will both have to make a trip back home and whoever wins it there will stay to play the finals so it’s perfectly set up for both.
If FC Goa go on to win the coveted title on December 20 in Goa, what does that mean to you personally and also for your followers in Brazil?
It’s always good to win a title because it rewards the work we put into the team throughout the season. And also it makes it a good outcome for the investors who have put in their investments and rewards their effort as well. Also the fans are rewarded for their support they show towards us. Our main objective was to qualify for the semi-finals because we worked hard and played well to get here.
How are your achievements at FC Goa perceived back home in Brazil?
I feel very good due to the fact that the fans here show so much support towards me as well as the club and I see sometimes in the stadium fans holding banners saying Zico we believe in you.So this love and support is very satisfying. And, also that Goa was a colony of Portugal, the club has a connection in a way so it makes it a good atmosphere to work and gives us motivation to work harder and return the support to the fans. And, I always make it a point to remind my players that we are not only playing for ourselves but for every single FC Goa fan who supports us with all their passion.
Keeping in mind some amazing results like 7-0 against Mumbai FC and also some forgettable ones, what has been your assessment of the team? And FC Goa has always displayed an attacking brand of football so are we all in store for the same in the semi-finals or will there be a change in style?
No we never change our approach and philosophy of playing.We may change a few players but not our style of play.
