THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
FC Goa chief coach Zico is aware of Chennaiyin FC’s strengths and will not take anything for granted when the two teams meet in a third round Hero Indian Super League (ISL) clash at Fatorda on Sunday.
FC Goa are unbeaten at home from their first two matches, winning the opener against Delhi Dynamos and then sharing spoils with defending champions Atletico de Kolkata. Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, have lost both their matches and are yet to open their account.
“Chennaiyin FC have lost both their matches but they could have won both their matches as well. In the first game, they dominated but got punished for individual mistakes. Atletico de Kolkata are good at punishing such mistakes,” Zico told reporters during the pre-match media conference.
Zico said his team could have got all three points after dominating Kolkata in the last game but he did not have any complaints. “We have to now look ahead,” said Zico.
FC Goa will be encouraged by news that midfielder Bikramjit Singh may have recovered from his injury that kept him out of the first two matches.
“Bikramjit will train today evening and if he feels fine, he will be considered for tomorrow’s match. In the last match, we had to replace the (foreign) goalkeeper because we did not have any Indian player to take Denson’s place,” said Zico. Bikramjit could replace Denson Devdas as the defensive midfielder in the team.
Despite losing two matches in a row, Chennaiyin FC are not pressing the panic button. “There will be change in tactics. We have planned for this game and are ready for FC Goa. We know FC Goa’s strengths and have planned accordingly,” said Chennaiyin FC assistant coach Vivek Nagul.
Chennaiyin FC midfielder Thoi Singh said he was not worried about FC Goa’s midfield strengths and instead will focus on their own abilities. “We have to play our natural game. The aim is to win all three points,” said Thoi.
Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi made four changes in the last game and could still continue with his efforts to discover his best eleven. Nagul said Ethiopian striker Fikru Teferra has recovered fully and is available for the match.
