FC Goa coach and manager Zico and marquee player Robert Pires

Q. Zico, Are you ready for tomorrow’s match?

A. Zico- Our practice has been going really great all these days. We played three friendlies and we even won them. So yes we are ready for the match tomorrow. From the 27 players we have 25 players who are ready and fit to play.

Q. Friendlies are different from an actual match. How different will the atmosphere be?

A.Zico- Surely the friendlies are different from the tournament matches. What is most important is the tournament matches and we save all the tactics for the main matches. The good thing about these friendlies was that they helped us understand our game and organize our team.

Q. Any advice from your experience you would like to pass on to the players?

A. Robert Pires- I have played matches in France, Spain, UK and now in India. Only one thing I would like to say is that ISL is a very good opportunity for India to develop football. I am repeating myself that I am happy to be here. Now I know that Indians love football and like Zico said we are ready for tomorrow’s match.

Q. Do any Indian players ask you for any advice?

A. Robert Pies- Yes of course they ask me for my advice. And I think it’s good and like I said earlier I feel like a teacher and I am here to teach them. There’s quality in football in India and now you have a chance to learn good football as well. I feel like I have a great responsibility on me so its very important for me to help them.

Zico- My career was long time ago. But I have told the players to look at Robert Pires and follow him. It is much easier for them to look at him and understand his style of playing, the way he behaves on the field. So the players have and are learning a lot from Robert Pires.
My advice to the players is if you have a desire to win then you can. Just give your best on the ground and play a good game. I have also told them that if they don’t play good football, I accept that. But they have to give their heart in their game and play. This is what I ask of them.

Q. Coming where from country where football is nothing less than a religion, I would like to know if you are happy with the support staff, training facilities and ground conditions?

A. Zico- At the moment we are very satisfied. We know that there are few things that are missing. But we understand that perfectly. We are very happy with the ground practice that has been happening in the past few days. We understand the shortcomings but we have to overcome that and we try that these shortcoming does not interfere in our games.

Robert Pires- I think everything is good here. This country is huge, and people here love football. Of course I am from UK and football there is religion and I think in India it is the same. But yes I got a good opportunity to play with the Indian players and I wish big success for ISL.

Q. Have you tried to incorporate the Samba style in FC Goa?

A. Zico- No we have not.

Q. What did you think about the football level here in India when you arrived here?

A. Zico- I know about Indian football quite well. If I didn’t know I wouldn’t have been doing this tournament. But the biggest problem we have is at the grass root level. Because there are great players at under-15 and under-19 level and they learn only after they become professionals. They need to be taught various aspects of football from the very start and this will definitely help the development of football.

Q. You have played in UK, France and Spain. How difficult is it for you here considering the weather conditions?

A. Robert Pires- Yes it is very difficult to play in this weather. It is very difficult to play in humid conditions, but now I’m getting used to it. But for me what is more important for me is helping the Indian players with football.

Zico- The players feel humidity more while playing but they are getting used to playing in the heat. The weather conditions in Brazil are similar to Goa in fact much worse sometimes. But we have to overcome all these hardships and play to win.

Q. If approached are you prepared to coach India?

A. Zico- I am prepared to train FC Goa.

Q. Iceland has 9 points from qualifying matches. It is a small country which is doing well. How can Indian learn from them?

A. Zico- India has to work hard and if one has the desire they can achieve it.

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Along with Mumbai City FC’s team technical and management staff, Mumbai City FC’s Supporters Club and the Arsenal Supporters Club were also present at the airport today to receive the Sweden & Arsenal legend who ensured that he got a phenomenal legend’s welcome when they burst out into Ljungberg chant as soon as he stepped out of the terminal. At the hotel, he received the traditional Indian welcome with a garland and a tikka.

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FC Goa marquee player Robert Pires begins training with the team

Said Robert Pires post the training session, “It’s been a good first day. It’s a good feeling. I’m excited about the ISL and I think it’s going to be a big success. It’s an honour being coached by the legend Zico. I’ve enjoyed my first day of training”

Speaking on his first thoughts on Goa and India said Robert, “I received a warm welcome in Mumbai when I arrived and in Goa when I landed yesterday. It was nice to see so many fans who came to welcome me. I didn’t expect it. It was a pleasure. Thank you very much for the welcome.”

Pires was part of the French national squad which won the 1992 and 2000 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro finals respectively. He also represented France in the 1996 Olympic Games.

Pires’s club career is a trail of glory too. As a player he peaked during his six-year stint at Arsenal from 2000-06, where he was part of the squad which won three FA cups and two Premier League titles. He was also a part of the Arsenal squad nicknamed ‘The Invincibles’ which remained unbeaten through the season of 2003-04.

Pires has also represented FC Metz, Marseille, Villareal, Aston Villa and has played over 500 games in his career spanning over two decades. In the 79 games he played as a French international, Pires scored 14 goals.

Training has begun in full swing. FC Goa will train twice a day, Monday to Saturday at Tilak Maidan at 8am and 4pm.

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Pires’ (40) career is a glittering testimony to his on-field achievements be it for his club or country. Pires was part of the French national squad which won the 1992 and 2000 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro finals respectively. He also represented France in the 1996 Olympic Games.

Pires’s club career is a trail of glory too. As a player he peaked during his six-year stint at Arsenal from 2000-06, where he was part of the squad which won three FA cups and two Premier League titles. He was also a part of the Arsenal squad nicknamed ‘The Invincibles’ which remained unbeaten through the season of 2003-04.

Pires has also represented FC Metz, Marseille, Villareal, Aston Villa and has played over 500 games in his career spanning over two decades. In the 79 games he played as a French international, Pires scored 14 goals.
Pires will begin practice sessions with team FC Goa starting tomorrow at Tilak Maidan.

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Robert Pires at Press meet at the Palladium Hotel in Mumbai

Former French international and Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires has been signed as a marquee player by Hero Indian Super League (ISL) team FC Goa.

Pires (40) is a world-renowned footballer and his career is a glittering testimony to his on-field achievements be it for his club or country.

Pires was part of the French national squad which won the 1992 and 2000 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro finals respectively. He also represented France in the 1996 Olympic Games.

Pires’s club career is a trail of glory too. As a player he peaked during his six-year stint at Arsenal from 2000-06, where he was part of the squad which won three FA cups and two Premier League titles. He was also a part of the Arsenal squad nicknamed ‘The Invincibles’ which remained unbeaten through the season of 2003-04.

Pires has also represented FC Metz, Marseille, Villareal, Aston Villa and has played over 500 games in his career spanning over two decades. In the 79 games he played as a French international, Pires scored 14 goals.

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Team FC Goa introduces its marquee coach Zico and marquee player Robert Pires

The Adidas team kit unveiled at the ceremony

Mumbai 23 September 2014: The good, healthy buzz about FC Goa just got even better.
FC Goa today introduced its marquee coach, Zico and marquee player Robert Pires at a well-attended ceremony at the Palladium Hotel in Mumbai. Present at the ceremony were Mrs. Nita Ambani, Founding Chairperson, Football Sports Development and Mr. Praful Patel, President, AIFF along with the owners  Mr. Venugopal N Dhoot, Mr. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar and Mr. Shrinivas V. Dempo. FC Goa’s first ‘friend’ actor Varun Dhawan was also present.

The Indian Super League club has already triggered a whirlwind of interest when it signed on a genuine Brazilian legend and three-time World Cupper Arthur Antunes Coimbra fondly known as Zico as its marquee coach. Zico has begun putting the FC Goa lads through the motions at team training sessions and is gearing for the first season of the ISL.

Virat Kohli-Co-owner of FC Goa, Varun Dhavan-FC Goa’s First Friend, Zico- Coach and Robert Pires Marquee Player

Former French international and Arsenal star Robert Pires, FC Goa’s marquee player was formally unveiled to the audience at the ceremony. Very few football aficionados would need an introduction to the star, who has been a part of the World Cup and Euro Cup winning squads for France and has won several club triumphs for Arsenal.

The Adidas team kit was also unveiled at the ceremony. Talking about the team kit, Tushar Goculdas, Brand Director, adidas India said, “adidas is the number one football brand in the world and we are excited to partner with FC Goa, the team representing one of the most passionate centres of football in India. The team is supported by a strong backbone, with owners having great footballing heritage, Virat- a world class athlete and passionate football fan and Zico, one of the greatest artists of the beautiful game. We are even more excited to unveil the team kit today, which has been created by our global design team and beautifully captures the essence of Goa. The team jersey will be available to FC Goa fans to buy in a few weeks.”

The big highlight at the event was the formal announcement of Virat Kohli, one of India’s finest contemporary cricketers, as the brand ambassador and co-owner of FC Goa. Kohli brings with him dynamism, grit and an unbridled energy, which are the elements that form the core of FC Goa.

Said Virat Kohli of his involvement in team FC Goa, “”FC Goa is going to be very competitive in the upcoming ISL. And the expertise and experience of stalwarts like Zico and Pires will further strengthen the already strong DNA that the team possesses, thanks to the Salgaocar, Dempo and Videcon  Groups’ involvement. I am very excited to be a part of this franchise in what definitely looks like a breakthrough for Football as a Sport in India”

Said Zico of his move to India, “There is a huge responsibility placed on my shoulders and I will do justice to it. I know expectations are high. I am motivated to take on this role of coach to FC Goa. Thank you for a wonderful welcome to India.”

Added Frenchman Robert Pires “I’m excited to play for FC Goa at the inaugural season of the ISL. I look forward to my time in Goa and India and to contribute positively to the development of football in the country.”

Mr. Venugopal N. Doot, Chairman of the Board, Videocon Industries, agreed saying, “These are exciting times for me and my partners Dattaraj Salgaocar and Shrinivas Dempo, who have shared a common dream – to make a valuable contribution to Indian football and elevate the standards of the sport in the country”.

Mr. Shrinivas Dempo Chairman and Managing Director of Dempo Group of Companies, said “The enthusiasm and interest in the sport is what drives us to invest in it. Football has always come before everything else. We are now looking forward to elevating the sport of football to a whole new level. ISL has provided us with the unique opportunity to create this change and infuse fresh enthusiasm into the sport.”

Added Mr. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar Managing Director of V M Salgaocar and Company, “ We have supported football for over five decades. The arrival and support of these two global football icons on the Indian footballing turf, marks the beginning of a glittering era for the ‘Beautiful Game’ in India.  The team embodies the spirit of Joga Bonito, playing the beautiful game the way it should be played – with pace, power and passion. That’s what team FC Goa will bring to the ISL”?

Said Varun Dhawan, “The moment I got to know about the ISL I wanted to be a part of it. I love football and it’s wonderful to see so much talent and enthusiasm around the sport”.
FC Goa will kick off the first game of the Indian Super League against Chennaiyin FC  at home on October 16. Other teams in the Indian Super League include Kerala Blasters, Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, FC Pune City, Delhi Dynamos, Atletico de Kolkata and North East United.

The FC Goa Squad: Laxmikant Kattimani, Debabrata Roy, Gabriel Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Shaikh Jewel Raja, Alwyn George, Narayan Das, Prabir Das, Mandar Rao Dessai, Romeo Fernandes, Peter Carvalho, Holicharan Narzary, PronayHalder, Rowilson Rodrigues, Miguel Pereira Herlien, MiroslavSlepicka, Youness Bengelloun, Bruno Pinheiro, Edgar Marcelino, Gregory Arnoli, Jan Seda and Robert Pires.

About FC Goa: Launched on August 26, 2014, FC Goa is Goa’s premier football club competing in the Hero Indian Super League, India’s top tier football league. Owned by Mr Venugopal Dhoot, Mr Dattaraj Salgaocar, Mr Shrinivas Dempo and Mr. Virat Kohli, it has its home ground at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, South Goa.

About the Indian Super League: The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) tournament is organized under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). It is currently contested by eight teams from across India, played on a league basis (home and away games). The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals and the winners of the double leg semi-finals will play in the finals. There will be 56 league matches and five knock-out matches held between October 13 and December 20, 2014.

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/fcgoaofficial  
Twitter: @fcgoaofficial 

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Mumbai, 18th September 2014: Mumbai City FC today announced the signing of the outstanding Freddie Ljungberg as the marquee player for the inaugural season of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL). Karl Fredrik Ljungberg, better known as Freddie Ljungberg, is a former Swedish National Team Captain and a midfielder who has been a critical part of football clubs such as Arsenal, West Ham United and Halmstads BK. His presence at Mumbai City FC will ensure the team has a strong midfield with Ljungberg comfortable playing on either wing in midfield.

Freddie Ljungberg, Welcome to Mumbai City FC

Ljungberg is recognized the world over for his skill and contribution to the sport when he was part of Arsenal’s feared lineup in the early part of this millennium. For several seasons, he played a major role for the club including being a member of the unbeaten 49 game run for the team. In 2008, Arsenal’s manager Arsène Wenger placed Ljungberg 11th in Arsenal Gunners’ Greatest 50 Players. For his home country of Sweden, Ljungberg has earned 75 caps scoring 14 times.

Speaking about the signing, team owner Ranbir Kapoor said, “Mumbai City FC is immensely proud to sign a player like Freddie Ljungberg today. As a former Sweden captain and Arsenal great, the world football fraternity understands what he is worth and I’m sure Mumbai’s football fans will be delighted with his presence in the team. He will enrich us with his talent and experience and we look forward to seeing him making Mumbai proud in the coming season.”

After joining the Mumbai City FC team, Freddie Ljungberg said, “Mumbai City FC presents a thrilling opportunity to play in India and I’m glad to be part of the team in the very first Indian Super League season. Talented Indian players together with the likes of Anelka, Friedrich, ?movš and others will make the team an exciting outfit and I look forward to contributing to the team’s success.”

Ever since the Vittsjö born talent started playing football, he was credited as being someone who was remarkably capable for his age and a player who would pass the ball to his friends so that they would have a chance to score. At the age of 12, Ljungberg convinced Halmstads BK to move him from p12 to p14, which was against Halmstad’s policies at the time.

At age 14, he joined the junior team under Coach Robert Nordström. His perseverance paid off because three years later he was moved up to the senior team where he made his senior debut on 23rd October 1994 in the Allsvenskan against AIK. In 1995, Ljungberg played 31 games in which he scored his first goal as a professional player. That same year Halmstad won the Swedish Cup.

Ljungberg was signed by Arsenal in 1998 for £3 million, which at the time was the highest transfer fee ever for a Swedish player. Arsenal scouts watched him for over a year and Wenger took the unusual step of authorizing the signing after watching Ljungberg play for Sweden in their victory against England on television, without seeing him play live.

Ljungberg proved himself without difficulty and scored on his debut after coming on as a substitute against rivals Manchester United, the match ending 3–0. Some of Ljungberg’s best form came in the second half of the 2001–02 season, when Arsenal won their second Premier League and FA Cup double.

Ljungberg became a regular in Arsenal’s starting lineup following the departure of Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars in the summer of 2000. For several seasons he played a major role for the club including being a member of the unbeaten 49 game run for Arsenal.

After his nine years at Arsenal FC, Ljungberg went on to play for West Ham United, Seattle Sounders FC, Chicago Fire, Celtic Glasgow and Shimizu S-Pulse.

Mumbai City FC welcomes Freddie Ljungberg to its fold and his addition strengthens the football club further ahead of its inaugural Indian Super League season.

About Mumbai City Football Club

Mumbai City Football Club or Mumbai City FC, is Mumbai’s franchise in the inaugural Hero Indian Super League. Bollywood actor and football enthusiast Ranbir Kapoor and chartered accountant Bimal Parekh together own the team. Mumbai’s D.Y Patil Stadium is the team’s home stadium. The team’s logo is a reflection of a resilient fortress that stands proudly, surrounding the logo that signifies the unrelenting, determined spirit of the city. The seven stars symbolize the islands that form Mumbai. Trains that are the very lifeline of the city ply millions of Mumbaikars across its vast expanse and connect these islands. Each passenger, each citizen of the city is bound together by their love for the place they call home. 20 million citizens, 20 million hearts pulse to a single beat – the heartbeat of Mumbai.

For the latest photos, videos and updates please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/MumbaiCityFC | http://twitter.com/MumbaiCityFC | https://www.facebook.com/MumbaiCityFC

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