FC Goa will be looking to keep their unbeaten run intact when they take on Vasco SC in their third friendly match, in Panaji on Thursday.
FC Goa has so far played two friendly matches, both of which they had won comfortably. In the first game, they managed to blank Sesa Academy 3-0, while in the second match, the Goa outfit defeated India Under-19 4-0.
Zico, who took over as coach of FC Goa, had been training the boys at Tilak Stadium, Vasco since he joined the team. But now the team has shifted its base to Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, where they will be playing all their home matches in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL).
FC Goa had their first practice session yesterday at Fatorda in order to get acclimatise to the ground condition and the floodlights before they play their opening match of the ISL against Chennaiyin FC here on October 15 at 7.00 pm.
“The boys are shaping up well and are quickly learning to my style of playing football. But they are not putting consistent performances yet,” said the three times World Cupper.
“I was not happy with the first friendly match against Sesa Academy, but in the second match against India U-19, they had adopted well to my style of play in terms of formation and tactics, and I am hoping they keep on improving on Thursday against Vasco,” stated Zico.
Zico has picked up three players -- Rowilson Rodrigues, Peter Carvalho and Holicharan Nazary -- who have impressed him the most.
All the Indian players, who are playing for FC Goa belong to Dempo SC except for a couple of them, and the foreigners were seen at the practice session. Brazil’s Andre Santos is yet to arrive.
Most of the team members including Marquee player Roberto Pires, however, are finding it hard to cope up with the heat and humidity.
Portuguese midfielder Edgar Marcelino, who has adjusted well to the conditions, had put up a commanding performance in the last two matches. He is expected to play a key role in the 4-1-4-1 formation.
Coach Zico will look up to him to play the stellar role in the midfield.
Goalkeeper Jan Seda of Czech Republic has so far kept the slate clean in both the matches and is seems to be in good shape.
