FC Goa assistant coach Fernando Vannucci insists his team will target cementing the top spot in the 2015 Hero Indian Super League standings when they play Delhi Dynamos FC in their last game of the league stage at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.

FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos FC are tied on 22 points after 13 matches, however, the former enjoy a much better goal difference. There has to be a result on Sunday or else defending champions Atlético de Kolkata, who have 23 points from their 14 matches with the best goal difference among the top three teams, will end up cementing the top spot.

“Our philosophy is to always look for a victory, so we're going to be aiming for the three points. Today during the practice, we'll figure out our team against Delhi but our thinking is that we'll play with the best players. The league is very short so we have to use the best players we can use and make sure there are no injuries ahead of the semi-finals,” Vannucci told reporters on Saturday.

“Our first goal was to be in the semi-finals and we have got it with one round left. Now we are looking to be in the first or second spot so we have the advantage of playing the second leg at home [in the semis]. We're going to play our best. We respect the Delhi team but any result that we get is good because we're in the semi-finals but we want a victory. We cannot choose our opponent, every opponent is very good. We have to respect everyone. Last season, the final was between the third and fourth place.”

Star defender Gregory Arnolin also addressed the media and echoed Vannucci’s sentiments. “Our first target was to reach the semi-finals and we got it. But now we have to be very serious and do our best and get the best result. As a player, I am always looking for something more. We're now going to play for the top-of-the-table spot,” the Frenchman said.

Arnolin was also happy with the overall development of Indian players this season. “From what we can see, there has been a lot of improvement in the Indian players. They will gradually learn how to play better in a league like this. One thing we can see is that all these players are playing at a very high level. Because of them, the ISL is a success because they're not just helping develop football here but they're also helping develop footballers,” he said.

Earlier this season, FC Goa registered a comfortable 2-0 win against the Lions in what was both teams’ league opener. Vannucci admitted Delhi had improved a great deal since that defeat. “Delhi have progressed a lot and we're competing for the top spot. They have great players and a great coach. But it’s not only them, other teams in the semis have also improved,” he said.