FC Goa pre match press conference transcript – FC Goa vs Atletico de Kolkata

by FC admin December 9, 2014

Press conference was addressed by Coach Zico and player Debabrata Roy 

Q. How does it feel to play in Kolkata against Kolkata?
A. Debabrata- This is not a new experience for me. In fact I have played in Kolkata against Kolkata couple of times before. I actually enjoy it. Tomorrow’s match is very critical for the Kolkata team, considering their game performances in the last few matches. Atletico de Kolkata is a very strong team. Right at this moment, the team is going through a bad phase. They are not dependent on their match with us. They have their own qualities and can make up with them.

Q. How is your team unity now?
A. Debabrata- The unity in our team is very strong. We have consistently played because of the same. Our performance has been consistent from the start to the semi final. We were just not getting the results initially. Otherwise our performance has been quite good and so has been our team unity.

Q. You have already reached the semi finals. From that perspective, how serious are you for tomorrow’s match? And how do you view tomorrow’s match? Any particular player from the Atletico de Kolkata team you are particularly worried about?
A. Debabrata- Each match is critical to our success, so each match is very important to us. Atletico de Kolkata is obviously a very strong team; therefore there is no one particular player that can be named.

Q. There was a phase when you played well, but were not getting results. How difficult was it for you to keep faith on yourself and on your coach?
A. Debabrata- It was actually a reverse situation. Despite the losses, the coach kept his faith high on us and the team and encouraged us all along.

Q. How does it feel to be training under a legendary player like Zico?
A. Debabrata- This is a great experience for me. I am immensely enjoying this entire experience. This training experience is like a dream come true for me.

Q. Eight years back when you came to Kolkata, you came as a coach for Japan. You had a disappointing experience on this ground. You have come back on this ground with a different team. How would you describe your comeback and what do you expect?
A. Zico- Last time we had come here for the World Cup qualifiers and we were expecting everything to be right. I was not disappointed at all last time because we had received good response from the viewers here. So I have good memories of Kolkata. The only difference I see now is that last time it was real grass and now it is artificial turf and I don’t think it is suitable to play football.

Q. How difficult is it to put out a team for a game like this where you don’t want your players to rest and yet you don’t want to lose the match?
A. Zico- I already have made a decision about tomorrow’s game and I have already kept the team ready for it and you will get to know tomorrow.

Q. Can you tell us about the first eleven for tomorrow?
A. Zico- You will get to know about it tomorrow.

Q. Who would you rather face in the semi finals, Chennaiyin FC or Atletico de Kolkata?
A. Zico- We can’t choose. We have qualified for the semifinals; we are ready and are well prepared to face any team.

Q. You have coached many teams around the world. Considering the circumstances here, your team was last at one point and the qualified for the semifinals. Would you say that this has been one of the best moments for you as a coach?
A. Zico- Of course it s one of the greatest moments of my career because it is not easy to have a turnaround like this just before the semifinals. Moreover, now every team is fighting for the top spot.

Q. Would you ask your boys to restrain temper on the pitch tomorrow?
A. Zico- I always tell all the teams that I have coached, to go on the field and play football and nothing else.

Q. What is the strong point for Atletico de Kolkata?
A. It is a great team with good and experienced players and due to which they have reached in the top four.

Q. Do you think Andre Santos is the best player in your team?
A. Zico- He is one of the best players since he is doing really well. But there are other players also in the team who are doing great.