FC Goa head coach Zico was ecstatic about his team’s resurgence and expects them to continue in the same vein when they take on NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Monday night.Explaining the reason for his team’s current good form at a pre-match press conference, the Brazilian legend said, “When we have the chance to play the same team, same group and same formation over a period of time, we can see good results. The guys are playing together more now. They’re more compact and the tiredness is much less. That’s why the results have been good. This is the fruit of our initial preparation. And as I’ve said multiple times already, we have 27 players, each one ready to contribute, and when the chance presents itself, they show what they’re worth.”With only one home game left in the campaign, Goa are on the road to Kolkata and then Chennaiyin for two tough away games against sides above them in the league table. “Realistically, we want to be among the top four. We don’t think that just because we’re playing at home, the game will be any easier. We have to be thinking every day. We have to win away as well. We have lost games at home as well, so it’s not very easy,” Zico remarked.The coach defended his decision to keep marquee player Robert Pirés out of the starting line-up. “I think it’s normal. We have other players apart from him as well. It’s an option that I have and the team I’m putting out right now is bringing good results. Therefore, I don’t think I’m being unjust to anyone. They all know how I work,” he said in reply to a question.Zico also acknowledged that the crowd at the Fatorda stadium has been their virtual 12th man. “I hope that this won’t be the last game we play here for this season. I hope we have at least one more chance. It has been amazing. We love this ground and the crowds who come in to support us. They add the extra man to our squad. We are looking to honour the fans by giving it our all. We just want to give this gift to them. I’ve told my players what this crowd means and that we should do this for them,” he added.Left winger Clifford Miranda, who was also present at the press conference, heaped praise on the man who has unseated him in the team – Mandar Rao Desai. “Mandar is doing well at the moment and I’m not surprised that he’s playing there. He’s performing consistently and he trains hard as well. He’s young and he’s only going to get better from here. He’s only a step away from making it to the national team and I’m certain that once he gets there, he will be part of the national set-up for a long time. It’s just a matter of time for him,” the Indian international said.Miranda explained that it was up to the coach to decide on whom to play. “Nobody is happy sitting on the bench and it’s up to the coach as to whom to select. There can be assumptions from people as to who must and mustn’t play but at the end of the day, it’s the coach who decides the team. He’s the one who oversees everything. I have no doubt that right now, the best player is playing in that position. My job right now is to put my head down and work hard. When I get my opportunity, I intend to take it,” he noted.
