Having made significant personnel changes in the off-season, FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos hope to start their Indian Super League (ISL) campaigns in right earnest when they face off here on Sunday.
FC Goa, which reached the semifinal last year, is focussed on grabbing better returns this time around. To achieve this end, coach Zico has brought in nearly 20 new faces, including seven Brazilians.
Zico, however, dismissed suggestions that he bears a fondness for footballers from his home country. “These questions about the number of Brazilians in our team have to stop. Why this prejudice? I do not know why this question pops up so often,” he said at a press conference here on Saturday.
Big things are also expected from Spanish midfielder Jofre Mateu Gonzalez, who was part of the Atletico de Kolkata squad which won the inaugural edition.
Delhi Dynamos finished fifth last year, and it too wants to step it up a notch. Former Champions League winners Florent Malouda and John Arne Riise have been brought in, while striker Adil Nabi has arrived on loan from West Bromwich Albion to much cheer.
The galaxy of big names is bound to add to the excitement on the night, but a positive result in this match — as well as the long-term spoils — could well go to the team which functions as a well-oiled machine.
This view was echoed by Goa’s new marquee player, Lucio. “The championship cannot be won by an individual, it can only be won by a team,” the 2002 World Cup winner said.
An interesting off-the-field battle is also on the cards. Delhi’s manager-cum-player Roberto Carlos makes no secret of his admiration for his opposite number, Zico. Not only was Zico an idol for a young Carlos growing up in Brazil, the two also worked together as coach and ward during Carlos’s time at Turkish club Fenerbahce.
“Zico was not just my coach at Fenerbahce, but also a father-figure to me. This match is not just a clash between a student and teacher, but also between a father and son,” Carlos stated.
The man with a golden left-foot mentioned that he is available to take the field on Sunday as a player, but insisted that he will only compete a few minutes per game.
Zico, naturally, expects no favours from his protege. “This will be very competitive. Not just Goa, every other team wants to win the title too,” he said.
