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 third season 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.
