FC Goa chief coach Zico has dismissed suggestions that revenge will be on the minds of his players when they take on the might of Chennaiyin FC in their away game of the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Thursday.
FC Goa had lost 0-4 against Chennaiyin FC at home with Stiven Mendoza scoring a deserving hat-trick. The defeat rankled Goa but as they prepare to face Marco Materazzi’s strongmen, Zico said their only aim is to secure three points in a match where a win for either team will take them to the top of the table.
“There is no feeling of revenge. What happened in the past is past. We came here for three points. We are here for a result that can help us finish among the top four,” Zico said during the pre-match media briefing.
Colombian striker Stiven Mendoza was the star on the night when Chennaiyin FC destroyed FC Goa and the Brazilian great admitted the Colombian along with midfielder Elano Blumer, who also scored and set-up two other goals, give Chennaiyin FC an edge.
“Mendoza is a good player, very fast and he had a great game against us. I had told our players to take special care of him and Elano but we did not succeed. We don’t have any special plan for Mendoza now,” said Zico.
Other than facing the mighty Chennaiyin at their home ground, FC Goa have to overcome another challenge of overcoming injuries to several of its players like Joffre Gonzalez, Reinaldo Oliveira, Keenan Almeida, Pronay Halder and Joaquim Abranches. The good news for the visitors is that Brazilian striker Rafael Coelho has been cleared to play after completing the transfer formalities. The Brazilian last played for Thai Premier League club Buriram United.
“Rafael is training with us for some days. He will practice with us today (in Chennai) and then we will decide,” said Zico.
Chennaiyin FC can move to the top of the ISL table for the first time this season with a win over FC Goa. Despite the easy win against their opponents away, Materazzi does not believe that they will have an easy run against Zico’s side.
“No I do not think so,” said Materazzi when asked if the first leg victory will give them the confidence that they can easily pocket full points.
The Italian World Cup winner also denied that his team is over reliant on Mendoza and Elano, both of whom have scored a majority of the team’s goals.
Chennaiyin FC is placed fourth with 10 points from seven matches, while Goa is placed third with 11 points from seven matches. A win for either of the team will take them to the top of the table.
