FC Goa head coach Zico at the post-match press conference.FC Goa head coach Zico was in a particularly jubilant mood after his side avenged the 2-0 loss they suffered against FC Pune City earlier in the season, by beating Franco Colomba’s men by the same score line at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday night.The Brazilian legend credited the team for their effort but cautioned that they can’t afford to get ahead of themselves. “We have to take it one game at a time. We have another match on November 26 against Kerala Blasters FC and we want to go out and win it,” he said at the post-match press conference.Goa were on the back foot for large periods of the game as Pune City dominated the proceedings, especially during the second half. “If the second goal had not gone in, we would still have won 1-0,” he said when asked about the nervous finish. “Everyone has the right to play well. We did so in the first half and they did in the second. In Pune, we had the opportunities to score but were unable to get a goal. Today, they had chances but didn’t score. Football is like that,” he quipped.Zico brought on striker Miroslav Slepička to replace Tolgay Özbey after the hour mark, and the striker repaid the coach by scoring the second goal. “I had options on the bench. Özbey looked tired in the second half, therefore I put in another striker. I didn’t introduce Robert Pirès because I would have had to remove André Santos or Zohib Amiri, and they were playing well,” he explained.Explaining his decision to play Bruno Pinheiro alongside Grégory Arnolin in the centre of the defence, Zico revealed that the midfielder’s favoured position is as a defender. “As time goes by, we get to know the players better. Bruno’s original position on the field is in defence. I had a chat with him before the match and he told me he was prepared to play there. We also have Amiri who can play in a variety of positions on the field. I have to make a decision depending on the situation,” he said.FC Pune City head coach Franco Colomba at the post-match press conference.French defender Grégory Arnolin, who captained the side today, congratulated the away side in a show of sportsmanship before saying, “I thought this was a good victory. Everyone worked hard and it paid off. I look to do my duty on the pitch, which is defending. That’s my primary role. It doesn’t matter who scores as long as we win,” he said.FC Pune City head coach Franco Colomba noted that his side’s loss changes a few equations. “I think this loss complicates things. Goa scored in the sixth minute and from then on, it was a problem for us. We played well during the game and had chances. We looked strong physically and technically. We didn’t win however. This is football,” he averred.Striker Joachim Abranches who played his first match of the tournament and accompanied the coach to the post-match press conference, said, “I’ve played after a long time. I feel good physically and I’m hoping we can win the remaining matches.”Both teams are level on points, and will be eager to step up their efforts in the competition as they push for a spot in the play-offs.
