FC Goa head coach Zico wasn’t disheartened following his side’s 2-0 defeat by NorthEast United FC in the 2016 Hero Indian Super League on Tuesday evening. This was the Gaurs’ first match this season, and for the first time in the league’s history they came a cropper against the Highlanders, thanks to Emiliano Alfaro’s brace in front of almost 28,000 spectators at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.The 63-year-old Brazilian gaffer spoke to the press after the match and insisted the Gaurs had the capability to bounce back in the league, referencing their defeat to Chennaiyin FC in their opening match of Hero ISL 2014. “I think we played well. We tried our best, we fought but we couldn’t overcome them. This is just the beginning of the league. The first year too we started the league with a defeat but later we overcame it [and reached the semis], and we have to keep going to work on that.”NorthEast’s first goal came through a goalkeeping error by Laxmikanth Kattimani but Zico refused to lay the blame on the 27-year-old. “It is not a normal thing that usually happens with Kattimani. He has a lot of experience with us from the last two years. We have been playing together and when we lose, everyone loses. It is not the fault of one person,” he said.“I think we had a few problems that we couldn’t play any friendly after we got back here in India. I think we created a lot of chances here. I think one of the best players in this match was [Subrata] Paul because he caught a lot of good balls. But this is just the beginning of the league and we have a lot ahead of us and we are going to keep working,” he added.The second goal for the Highlanders was set up Holicharan Narzary, who played for FC Goa in the inaugural season. Zico was all praise for the India international. “He played very well and because of it he is in the first team. When he played with us, I was very happy to give him opportunities. I just hope that he keeps playing well and wish him all the best. He had given a very nice pass for the second goal and I hope he helps the NEUFC team a lot,” he said.
