FC Goa head coach Zico was jubilant after his team romped to their third consecutive victory in the Hero Indian Super League with a 3-0 win over NorthEast United FC. With this victory, his side moves up to second in the standings and is on the brink of qualifying for the semifinals. It was a dominant performance from the home side as they vanquished their rivals convincingly. The Brazilian legend thanked the fans and commended his players on the win. “I am very happy. We had our foot on the ground. I am happier with my players’ behaviour. They gave their best in practice and this is the fruit of that. I am very happy with the reaction and support from the fans who love football. Goa is very well represented here. I would like to congratulate the fans for the victory,” he said.His side are on the road for the remainder of the league stage as they take on top-ranked Chennaiyin FC and then Atlético de Kolkata. Both these teams have been tough competitors and his side went down to both teams at home earlier in the tournament. Zico was adamant that his team would be looking for a favourable result. “We have to think one step at a time and now we have to focus only on Chennai. They have had very good results which has put them in a very good spot. Now we are going to play with the same disposition and same desire and will try to get more points,” the Brazilian legend confirmed.Zico has fielded the same team (minus Tolgay Ozbey through injury) in Goa’s last three home matches and it has yielded good results. He noted that it is a common philosophy in Brazil that when a team is winning, it shouldn’t change. “We have kept the same team and haven’t moved the players around too much because the results are coming. Many players are doing well and they have no injuries, so there is no need for a change,” he explained.Marquee player Robert Pirès has not featured at all in this run of home games for Zico’s side. When asked about the absence of the Arsenal legend, the Brazilian was quick to explain again that he did not want to tinker with a winning combination. “I made changes in the midfield and they are playing well. But I want Pirès to continue with the practice, so that when he gets the opportunity to play, he is fit to play,” he averred.Mandar Rao Desai, who was named the ISL Emerging Player of the Match, was also in attendance at the press conference, and the Goan player explained his happiness at being given playing time. “I give my best in every practice session and my teammates help me improve my game constantly. Even Clifford Miranda helps me in everything. I feel great to play in his place,” Desai said.
