FC Goa coach and manager Zico

A. Zico- Well any game home or away is always difficult. All the teams are very good and clever. Even though we lost the last match, we are very relaxed and confident. We have many opportunities to win. We always try to win the match and we have come here to win the match. We played at home with our supporters supporting us. I hope that our team plays a wonderful match.

Q. How has the training been going on? Have there been any injuries?
A. Zico- Everyone is ok. All the 23 that have come are fit and ready to play.

Q. What is the condition of Andre Santos? Is there any chance that we will get to see him play?
A. Zico- Yes he is very well and ready to play.

Q. Holicharan Nazary played very well in the match against Chennaiyin FC. What do you have to say about him?
A. Zico- I hope he continues to play well in the future as well. I always give him an opportunity for him to play and he is well prepared for the game tomorrow.

Q. The North East United team has Miguel Garcia in the team. Are you looking forward to play against him and the team?
A. Miguel- He is very experienced player. But we are prepared for the game and play against the team

Q. Do you think ISL can really improve football?
A. Zico- Yes it can. If we contribute well it can definitely improve. There are great players who can help a lot in development of Indian football. I think every 15 Indian players that are there in each team have gotten the chance to play along side them and this can definitely help in the development of Indian football. And that is the reason why I am here.

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FC Goa marquee player Robert Pires along with the India Under 19 player before the kick off

In a fast paced first half FC Goa came out all guns blazing to take the lead via a Haroon Amiri goal in the 19th minute of play. FC Goa pushed on for a second but the India under 19 team held on and almost scored on the counter attack. With the first half coming to a close, Miguel Herlein scored a cracker of a shot from 20 yards to make it 2-0. The young boys from the India under 19 team came close on a number of occasions to get on the score sheet but Jan Seda held his line in goal.

In the second half FC Goa scored two quick goals to increase the lead. First Gabriel Fernandes scored to make it 3-0 and the next goal came from Holicharan Nazarath to take the lead at 4-0.

Said Manager and Chief Coach Zico post the match, “This level of performance was expected after the daily training and commitment that the team has been putting in everyday. The team now understands how I want them to play in terms of formation and performance. At the end of 90 minutes Im happy with how the team played.

Speaking on Pires he said, “ Pires’ presence on the field is important. He played well and assists the team. I’m satisfied with his performance and that of the team”.

Added co owner Mr. Dattaraj Salgaocar, “The team is shaping up well. They are gelling well and playing as a team. The players are committed and are playing with passion. This match has been a fast-paced entertaining match. I’m sure as the days go, they will gel and play together even better ”.

Ahead of ISL, which will begin on October 12, the franchise teams have been playing friendly matches with various football clubs. In its first friendly match played some days ago FC Goa triumphed over Sesa Football Academy by a margin of 3 goals (Score 3-0).

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.

FC Goa will play their first ISL match against Chennaiyans FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao on October 15, 2014.

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