FC Goa's André Santos and head coach Zico during the post-match press conference.Goa head coach Zico was a happy man after his side avenged their 1-0 loss against Kerala Blasters earlier in the season with 3-0 win at home. Giving credit to his players at the post-match press conference, the Brazilian said that he never stopped believing in his team. “Credit to all of my players for this win. They have worked hard and their concentration levels are high. I’ve never stopped believing in them. All merit to them,” he quipped. “I want them to continue in the same vein, keeping the same level of seriousness. I have told them to respect the opponents always and I want them to keep doing more of the same and playing good football.”Goa could have been leading by half-time but failed to put the ball past David James despite numerous chances. They did however, manage to break the deadlock in the second period and got three good goals. The marquee coach acknowledged the performance of the English veteran. “David James had a fantastic game. It was difficult in the beginning to get past him. But I don’t want to be greedy. I would even have taken a 1-0 win. The victory matters more,” he remarked.Having moved up into third place in the league, FC Goa are much closer to qualification to the group stage. Zico however, refused to admit that the job is done. “I don’t think we’re safe yet. In fact, I don’t think any team is safe. Chennai, perhaps are almost there, but apart from them, in my opinion, no one is safe,” he averred. When asked about the two tough away matches against Chennaiying FC and Atlético de Kolkata, which follow Goa’s next match, a home assignment against NorthEast United FC – Goa’s last home match of the season – Zico agreed that they would be tough games. He emphasised, however, that his side would pose strong challenges for the two teams who are at the top of the table. “They will be tough games, yes. But if it’s tough for us, it’ll be tough for them too. From tomorrow, we’re only going to be thinking about the knockout stage,” he said.‘Hero of the Match’ André Santos accompanied the coach to the press conference and he was naturally a very happy man. Having moved forward into a more attacking role, after playing as a left-back for most of his career so far, the former Arsenal man said that he has experience playing in the position before. “I’ve played this position before. I give credit to my coach for believing in me and making me play there. I’m very happy with the result today and as Zico said, we have to continue the same way,” he noted.
