Q. As player on the Brazilian World Cup squad, you have also faced penalty kicks. What is the feeling that you go through there?
A. Zico- We feel that FC Goa did a good job throughout the competition. Every game that we played was to win that game. But unfortunately we were unable to gift our fans the joy of bring in the finals. Penalty is part of the game and we had practiced for it during our practice sessions. During practice sessions, Amiri had a very good score, but unfortunately today he was unable to score. We had many chances during the game like the penalty that was not called by the referee. I didn’t understand why this referee was called, since he was the referee who gave a penalty to Atletico de Kolkata in their match against Kerala. Such mistakes cannot be made in games like these. In the last match, Bruno was given a red card and today we were not given a penalty.

Q. What do you think is the main reason that you were not able to score in 120 minutes?
A. Zico- The Kolkata team had marked us very well and they tried to neutralize our game and our goalkeeper didn’t manage to defend even one goal. In this kind of games, we get very few chances, which we lost. In the beginning of the game, we had close to 10 opportunities and they had two. The Kolkata team lost a lot of their power without Fikru so they changed their strategy and took the game to the penalty, and they won.

Q. Have you decided to come back for the next season and what are the memories that you will take back to Brazil from India?
A. Zico- Of course I want to come back and I have spoken to the team officials and management. They want me to coach the team for the next two years. But now I need some time to think about the past and the future. I have been away from my family for a long time and I need to take a break. After my break I will decide and give my answer to the club. They want me to stay and even I want to come back to Goa. I would like to say that these four months have been amazing and I have spent some really good moments here. I received so much love from all the people in Goa and from India. All the players worked very hard and were very professional. I had a wish to give the people of Goa the gift of a place at the finals of the ISL, but this is how football is. Things happen but Life has to go on.

Q. It’s been an honour to have you here in India. After losing today’s match, do you think football is a beautiful game or a cruel game?
A. Zico- It is a beautiful, emotional game that touches our heart. Even the Kolkata coach I hear had some health problems, and I hope he is fine and his health recovers. Everything that we work with which involves emotions is beautiful. Sometimes we get bad results and we get upset, not necessarily because of the results, but because of how the results have come.

Q. What did you say to the boys at the end of the penalty shootout and how would the celebrations be since one of the players is celebrating his birthday today?
A. Zico- It is always sad after we face a defeat, but we have to put on a strong face and keep our heads held high, because we have worked very hard. After the penalty, I thanked them for all the time we spent together, for their professionalism and for the hard work that they showed in the games. I wish them a bright future ahead. A big hug to all and thank you.

The post FC Goa post match press conference – FC Goa vs Atletico de Kolkata Semifinals 2 appeared first on Football Counter.

Q. How difficult has the second match become after today?
A. Zico- It will be a difficult game as it was before. These are two strong teams but we will try to have a leveled game.

Q. ATK has had most number of fouls in the entire league. Were you expecting a more physical game today?
A. Zico- The games in the last phases are always very compact. It is always very difficult. Of course when we have to play on an artificial turf it gets more difficult to control the ball. But yes we were expecting a physical game like last time.

Q. How is Narayan Das doing? Will he be ok before the next match?
A. Zico- I think it will be difficult for him to play the next math since he got a serious injury. We will have to wait for the doctor’s report. We hope that it is not a serious injury. These kinds of injuries happen in leagues of such level. Also this kind of ground is not good for professional games.

Q. How difficult was it to change the position after Narayan Das went out?
A. Amiri- We are one team and we practice very hard. We are always ready to play in any position that coach tells us to. It is very difficult for us to play on artificial turf since from the beginning we have been playing and practicing on grass. It was bad that in the first 10 minutes itself, Narayan Das was injured and we lost the momentum.

Q. How much confident are you after today’s game?
A. Zico- I am 100 per cent confident and I hope that we win the last match.

Q. What new thing have you learned from Zico?
A. Amiri- It is a dream come true for any football player to share the dressing room and practice under Coach Zico. Every day we learn new things from him and it is a very good opportunity for any player to learn from him. The three most important things that I have learn from him is to be patient, how to win and to believe in oneself.

Q. Do you think that because of the artificial turf that you were not able to yield any results?
A. Zico- I am very satisfied with the way my team played here. I don’t think that the turf is bad just for Goa, but it is bad for both the teams. We would have been able to display a better game if it was natural turf.

The post FC Goa post match press conference transcript | FC Goa vs Atletico de Kolkata appeared first on Football Counter.

Q. What would be the ideal score so that you can level the advantage in Goa?
A. Robert Pires- If Atletico de Kolkata team has to win, it is important that they score. But if FC Goa wins tomorrow, it’s definitely an advantage. But I repeat, we are well prepared, we are strong and we are ready to defend and ready to score.

Q. Are you playing tomorrow?
A. Robert Pires- I don’t know. You will come to know about it tomorrow.

Q. The first match you lost and also incident happened which involved you. While the second match was a draw. So is it like a revenge match for your? Secondly, which three Indian players have impressed you the most?
A. Robert Pires- I don’t like the word revenge. It is not right to discuss now what happened with the Atletico de Kolkata team manager. The most important thing now is the semifinal match tomorrow and the most important thing for my team is to go to Mumbai for the finals. For the second question, I am really impressed with players like Romeo Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai, Narayan Das who have a great future.

Q. Do you have any fear factor with regards to referees tomorrow?
A. Robert Pires- No I don’t. We need to respect the referees’ decision whether it is good or bad. He puts rules on the field. The most important thing now is to concentrate on the game tomorrow and the game on Wednesday in Goa.

Q. It is incredible that at the age you have been able to sustain yourself in the game. Do you see yourself coming back for the next year?
A. Robert Pires- I hope so. It depends on the team, not on me. I am ready and I love football. I have deep passion for football. For me this is a great and important opportunity. I love the country and the people here. I love trying new food. For me, India is truly incredible.

Q. When you went to J-League, you had a complete different role. But after J-League the Japanese football has completely transformed. How do you see the Indian football transforming?
A. Zico- I don’t like to make any comparisons between Japan and India. They are completely different to each other. In Japan, it was different, since there was no league and when we started J-League, we created a new league. But in India we already have a league and now we also have ISL. I think for Indian football to develop I-League and ISL should merge or else ISL will be just one good event every year. I wish that the two leagues merge and I am here to help in the development of football. I am very happy with the Indian players in my team and I am trying my best to help them. But now it is up to the authorities to see what is best for the country.

Q. What are your views on refereeing?
A. Zico- We prepare to play football. I don’t worry about the referee. I worry about my team and the opponent. I really regret that sometimes some decisions taken are bad like last time. In the last game, Bruno didn’t touch Fikru, but still we got a penalty and they scored and lost a player. That was not fair.

Q. What do you have to say about the turf?
A. Zico- Like I have said earlier, I don’t like this turf. But every team has come and played on this turf and so have we and we will play tomorrow as well. Since Atletico de Kolkata played here for seven times, they are adapted to this turf and it is an advantage for them. But I hope that next year, every ground will be the same everywhere with real grass.

Q. Your team has gone through a transformation after the inclusion of Santos. So would you want to play Robert Pires tomorrow?
A. Zico- I have 26 players ready to play tomorrow.

Q. What are your plans after ISL? There were nine changes in the last match. What are the chances of playing all the nine players in the first 11?
A. Zico- My plans after ISL are to go back to Brazil and spend time with my family and play with my grand children and also to take rest. To answer yor second question, you will come to know about it one hour before the match tomorrow.

Q. You have been here for a long time and have played against Atletico de Kolkata few days ago. Is this an advantage for you?
A. Zico- There is never any advantage in such games. The only advantage that we can have is if the opponent team comes to play with seven players.

Q. The team has been performing consistently but was not taking their chances. Looking back would you say that the win against Delhi Dynamos was the turning point for the team? Secondly, would you say that tomorrow’s match is a clash between two types of football cultures?
A. Zico- Of course a victory is always important. The game against Delhi has definitely boosted their confidence. This victory has given us lot of power and strength and it is the fruit of our hard work and good practice. To answer your second question, it is true that both the teams are very strong. Everyone who has reached in the semi finals will make the most of their own style of playing.

Q. What would be the ideal score so that you can level the advantage in Goa? How many goals you want to score?
A. Zico- So it is not that it will be an advantage to play in Goa since we lost against them in Goa. It is two different kinds of game. We have games of 180 minutes and the first game is going to decide everything.

The post Confident Zico at FC Goa pre semi-final match press conference appeared first on Football Counter.

Q. Bruno was playing very well. Now that you are in the semi finals, how crucial is that blow?
A. Zico- It is part of the game. We have to expect everything.

Q. Even in the first leg the Kolkata-Goa match made headlines. This match ended in a draw. Additionally, next two matches are also against each other. Is that an advantage or not?
A. Zico- There is no advantage or disadvantage. I think both the teams deserve to be in this position.

Q. Are you happy with the result today as compared to the last match?
A. Zico- It was a very balanced game. Of course Kolkata wanted a better result more than us. Also the turf is not very suitable. We have not practiced on a pitch like this. So it is very bad that we had to play an important match on a pitch like this.

Q. Are you disappointed that you didn’t get a first place in the points table and also are you happy that you will be playing again against Kolkata?
A. Zico- No I am not disappointed. We have qualified for the semi finals that is more important. I hope to get the first place in the finals. I am. The only thing I am unhappy is that we have to play on the artificial turf.

Q. Your team put an amazing performance. How satisfying is that?
A. Zico- I am very happy they played beautifully. I have been saying since the beginning that we have 27 players and not 11.

Q. Is it strange not seeing Garcia in the first eleven?
A. I am sorry I don’t want to say anything about the opponent team.

Q. This match was very critical for ATK to reach the semi finals, and you are from Kolkata. Did this fact play on your mind?

A. Jewel- I was playing for my team and wanted my team to go ahead and get a good position.

Q. What are your comments on the penalty?

A. Jewel- Since I was in the game, I did not see what happened, but had not expected the red card at this stage.

Q. Considering the last game, with ATK was a very high tension one, on field and off field, today the game played was quite level, in spite of being in pressure. Getting ATK for semi finals after this. Do you see that as an advantage or disadvantage?

A. Jewel- Any team that plays against us must be faced by us. We lost in the first game with ATK, second was a draw. Next match we will definitely try to win.

The post FC Goa post match press conference addressed by Coach Zico and player Sheikh Jewel Raja appeared first on Football Counter.

Q. How does it feel after sealing a spot in the semi finals?
A. Zico- It’s a feeling of mission accomplished and all our hardwork has paid off. I am really thankful to the players because they trusted in their work. After the first phase very few people expected us to reach in the semi finals. But we believed that we will get out of this situation and the players never stopped working seriously. They continued to work hard and relentlessly and the proof of it is that we have reached this position.

Q. You squad has many young players like Narayan Das and Mandar. Do you think that that they have significantly over the period of time?
A. Zico- I always try to give them a bit of my experience as a football player as a coach and they have listened to me and believed in what I am teaching them and we all are seeing the improvement in them. I always tell them to believe in themselves and do their best and the results are that they are doing well. My role as a coach is to teach them and they are following it.

Q. There was a big section in the crowd which wanted Robert Pires to come on filed. Did he listen to them and did he think about joining the game?
A. Zico- I have to prepare my team to play football. If there was an opportunity I would have put him in the game.

Q. How does it feel after getting the emerging player award? Has Zico improved you in every game?
A. Narayan- First of all I would like to thank the coach and all the players because of whom we are in the semi finals. We played as a team and we all are very happy. We were confident that we will reach the semi finals.

Q. What is going to be the mentality of the team in the semi finals?
A. Narayan- No we have to prepare for the semi finals and practice even harder. We have to improve on all the things that the coach will tell us. Next we have is the knockout and for that we have to be more serious practice better.

Q. Most of the players are from Dempo Sports Club. Did you have to make any changes in the game plan? If yes, what changes did you make?
A. Zico- It is always good to have some players who know each other. We have many different players in the team and they have learned to play with each other. Now this is not Dempo team, but FC Goa team. Most of the players were chosen from the Dempo team, but in my opinion Goa has other strong teams as well. It would have been better if strong players were chosen from other teams as well and make one strong Goan team. But the players that we have now in the FC Goa team are best and very well representing Goa.

Q. Which part of the game you need to improve before the semis?
A. Zico- I don’t think we can make that decision at this stage. We have to keep our focus on the game. In the semi finals we cannot make any mistakes since its just two games and goal difference can change everything. So we have to be very careful.

The post Our hardwork has paid off – Zico appeared first on Football Counter.

Q. In every game played, FC Goa has been dominating in the first half, and second half the opposition dominates. But this time the tam managed to keep the lead. How crucial was the second goal to seal the victory?
A. Zico- Even if the second goal was not scored, we would have won anyway. Everyone has their own way of playing. We had the opportunity to play well in the both halves and due to which we could score and win the game. In Pune, we had created many opportunities to score but didn’t score, but they created few opportunities, scored and won the game. Today they had opportunity to score and they didn’t score and we scored and won the game.

Q. Defence has always been a strong point of the team, but today it looked weak. Do you think that Jan Seda made the defence look better?
A. Gregory Arnolin- We have always been humble in our way of playing. We have eleven players who are playing on the pitch and more outside the pitch. I think everyone has to do their own work. I think it was a fair victory since everyone worked very hard for it.

Q. You have always had a main role in the defence, how does that feel? Also, you always create chances to score, how does it feel when you don’t score?
A. Gregory Arnolin- I play for the team and always work to help my team. My first role in the team is defence or else they won’t be able to score. It doesn’t matter who scored, everyone is happy with the victory.

Q. We saw a new partnership between Gregory and Bruno. Your thoughts on Bruno’s performance.
A. Zico- As the time goes we understand the players better. I know that Bruno’s original position is defence, so I could use him today. I spoke to him about the change and he said that he was ready to play in that position and we all saw how well he played.

The post FC Goa vs FC Pune City post-match press conference addressed by Zico appeared first on Football Counter.

Q. Any particular reason for the team to train at Vasco’s Tilak Maidan?
A. Zico- We already have acclimatized ourselves with the ground at Fatorda stadium and at Vasco we get more time to practice and we don’t have people watching our every practice moves. We are able to do our work very calmly and do a better job there. Also since we already know the ground, we don’t need to practice here to get ourselves familiar with the conditions.

Q. Any injuries in the squad and can you tell us about it?
A. Zico- Yes we do have injuries but we can’t tell you. You will come to know about it once the final 11 is announced tomorrow.

Q. Are you approaching this game any differently? Any change in the strategies?
A. Zico- Every game is different and has different way of playing and has different philosophies. If we want to win tomorrow, we will have to change the strategy.

Q. Coach you have new coaching personnel. What will be their roles and what were the reasons for getting them?
A. Zico- I always wanted to bring them from the beginning and I asked the president if I could get my own team from Brazil and he agreed. I have one physical trainer and two assistants. Willian Goncalves is the physical trainer, Fernando Vannucci is the assistant coach and Miguel Habib is the physiotherapists and assistant coach. If you must have seen, the coaches of other teams got their own coaching staff and I was the only one who didn’t bring anyone so now I got my own team members from Brazil.

Q. Tomorrow’s match is very crucial. What is the mood like in the team and is there any pressure on the players to deliver well tomorrow?
A. Bruno Pinheiro- I think is there is no extra pressure since each match is important and it values three points. The next three games are very important for us and fortunately we have these three games at home. The most important thing is that we have worked really very hard this week and I think we are ready and mentally we are strong because we have three battles to fight and we must do everything to win it.

Q. Do you think close scheduling of the matches is an obstacle for players?
A. Bruno Pinheiro- I am sure for international player the weather conditions in India was an obstacle since the beginning and that is not an excuse for anyone. It is normal for injuries to happen since the schedule of the match has been very tight. But we have many options to tackle that like if one player is injured, another can substitute him. It also gives other players a chance to play and it is a big opportunity for players to show their skills.

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Q. What would Goa like to take from this match?
A. Zico- We still have hope because we have three matches at home. We have to work really very hard to recover these points which we lost today. The important thing is that the team is showing reaction power and I hope that we will be able to show the same in the next match.

Q. Do you think this was the opportunity to catch up with the top teams?
A. Zico- Of course it would have been great if we had won the match today. We would have moved ahead of Mumbai.

Q. Minimum how many points you think one will get?
A. Zico- The way the tournament is going one can get 18 points to be in the top four.

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How important is the return of Robert Pires?

Zico: His return is very important because he is a great player, a great professional and I thought it was a bit unfair that he was banned for two games so it’s very important that we have him back.

What are your comments on the Kerala Blasters team? any thought on tomorrow’s game?

Zico: It is a team that is in the same situation as us. They have four points like us and I know it was very difficult for them to play all these games away. They are playing at home now and we need to be very cautious of this team.

FC Goa has conceded a lot of goals in the matches played but you have gone with the same back four for the last four matches. What is the thinking behind this? Are you still confided with the defense?

I think our problem is not our defense. We are losing so many opportunities in our forward line. We have created many opportunities in all the games we have played. Our defense has played very well and are doing their best. I trust my defense a lot.

Tolgay, how imp was the last win? Is this ground in Kochi lucky for you?

Tolgay: The win last week was very imp for our team. I believe in every match we have been dominating the game and controlling matches but have been unlucky in scoring goals. Our win in the last match kick started our ISL season. As for this ground, I have played once or twice before and have scored. It’s been a lucky ground for me. Hope it will be lucky for our team tomorrow.

There is no touchline standardisation from ground to ground. The technical area is 15 meters from the touchline here in Kochi as compared to other grounds. What are your views?

Zico: I respect the rules of the game. If it is this way what can I do? I can do only what is possible in the situation. In general it is a pity as we the coaches are used to being closer to the player so we can give directions to the players, but it is ok. We will do the best we can within what’s possible.

Santos has been starting in FC Goa’s games quiet regularly in the same position. Is that the best suitable position for Santos?

Zico: It was my first choice because we didn’t have so many players playing in this position. The only player we had was injured. If you look at games played by Andre Santos you will find he also plays as a forward/striker. Maybe a little more to the left but always forward.

This particular ground has a cricket pitch on it which has been covered with grass. Have you had a look at it? What do you think about it.

Zico: I haven’t see it yet so I will go have a look now. I hope it will be suitable for practice. Most of the grounds we have played at have been good and from what i have seen on television too they all look good. My only regret is that the most famous city for football, Kolkata, has an artificial turf. Even if it is allowed by FIFA, it is not a proper ground to play football. And it is not good for all the teams because they do not have the opportunity to practice on this ground. Only Kolkata is playing there. And everyone knows it is very difficult to play on an artificial turf compared to a real grass turf. This is an advantage for the Kolkata team because they are the only ones to practice there and play their home games there. No one else has the same opportunity. And I regret that ISL has not seen this before.

The post Robert Pires back after two matches ban, FC Goa looks confident against Kerla Blaster appeared first on Football Counter.

Goa has played four matches with just one point and at the bottom of the table. Has this kind of performance come as a surprise to you?

Zico: Football never surpises me. So, we lost some games but we can also win and move on. We created some good opportunities and had chances but didn’t manage to concert them, even though we played well. This is the magic about football. Sometimes a team plays very well but doesn’t manage to score, while another team comes and scores. But then, that’s how football is. It’s all about football.

Many foreign players have come to India for the ISL. Your thoughts on that?

Zico: I think the difference with Japan was that they didn’t bring in too many foreign players. In my opinion at the ISL it’s not too good to have too many foreigners playing. The minimum of 5 Indian players is too less in my opinion. Since it’s the ISL, we have to encourage more Indian football.

FC Goa will miss a lot of players at the next match. Some injured, some not fit, suspended. How difficult will it be to play well tomorrow?

Zico: We never think it’s only 11 players, we have a group of 27 players. All 27 players are ready to play. Some are injured but the others are fit and ready to play. Players have been picked for the team because they are good and they are prepared to play. So I’m not too worried about that. I told them that they have to be prepared to play at any time, in any situation. We will play 11 against 11.

Ranti, you have played at the I-league and ISL. Have scored high at I-league, but not at the ISL. Is the standard of football higher in the ISL?

Ranti: There are only 2 strikers, Dudu and me, who have played for the I-league and ISL. There are also a lot of foreign players making the top 11. Also, we have been playing only for a couple of weeks but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t score. It’s about patience.

Coach, AIFF has announced that the ban for Habbas has been reduced from 4 to 2 games. Your comments?

Zico: Congratulations to their lawyers.

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