The Goan Network
Margao
FC Goa coach Zico was all smiles and overjoyed with the 2-1 outcome against Kerala Blasters, Thursday as he hailed his boys for the commitment shown on the field.
"Everybody played for the team and looked confident," said Zico during the post-match briefing.
Asked whether Goa were favourites to reach the semis, Zico said: "We are not thinking about the favourties tag". The Brazilian however added that he was hoping to be in the semis.
"We were better in the second half and the double substitution was the turning point. Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai paid dividends as both were swift and played with guile. The boys showed charcter," Zico added.
Pointing out the difference between his team and Keraka Blasters the legendary Brazilian said they played better with long balls and gave Goa torrid time. "However, in football, goals win you games and it's as simple as that."
On being asked about fielding many Indian players in the squad, Zico said: "I do not see who are Indians or for that matter foreigners. All are the same to me."
Kerala head coach Peter Taylor said: "We lost the match because we gave too much respect to Goa in both the sessions and that's what punished us."
Taylor said that his team was better in both the halves, adding that no team can afford to miss many chances.
"We missed chances infront of the goal and were dissapointed with team's performance. The team is missing someone who can score a goal. Football is all about scoring," Taylor summed up pointing out that Goa grabbed their chances with both hands.
"We will forget this loss and analyse the defeat. We have bigger challenges ahead of us," Taylor remarked.
