FC Goa coach Zico criticizes referee but insists ISL has been an amazing journey

Zico’s team struggled in the initial phases of ISL 2014 but showed immense resolve in clawing into the play-off spots

Q. As player on the Brazilian World Cup squad, you have also faced penalty kicks. What is the feeling that you go through there?

A. Zico- We feel that FC Goa did a good job throughout the competition. Every game that we played was to win that game. But unfortunately we were unable to gift our fans the joy of bring in the finals.

Penalty is part of the game and we had practiced for it during our practice sessions. During practice sessions, Amiri had a very good score, but unfortunately today he was unable to score. We had many chances during the game like the penalty that was not called by the referee.

I didn’t understand why this referee was called, since he was the referee who gave a penalty to Atletico de Kolkata in their match against Kerala. Such mistakes cannot be made in games like these. In the last match, Bruno was given a red card and today we were not given a penalty.

Q. What do you think is the main reason that you were not able to score in 120 minutes?

A. Zico- The Kolkata team had marked us very well and they tried to neutralize our game and our goalkeeper didn’t manage to defend even one goal. In this kind of games, we get very few chances, which we lost. In the beginning of the game, we had close to 10 opportunities and they had two. The Kolkata team lost a lot of their power without Fikru so they changed their strategy and took the game to the penalty, and they won.

Q. Have you decided to come back for the next season and what are the memories that you will take back to Brazil from India?

A. Zico- Of course I want to come back and I have spoken to the team officials and management. They want me to coach the team for the next two years. But now I need some time to think about the past and the future. I have been away from my family for a long time and I need to take a break. After my break I will decide and give my answer to the club. They want me to stay and even I want to come back to Goa.

I would like to say that these four months have been amazing and I have spent some really good moments here. I received so much love from all the people in Goa and from India. All the players worked very hard and were very professional. I had a wish to give the people of Goa the gift of a place at the finals of the ISL, but this is how football is. Things happen but Life has to go on.

Q. It’s been an honour to have you here in India. After losing today’s match, do you think football is a beautiful game or a cruel game?

A. Zico- It is a beautiful, emotional game that touches our heart. Even the Kolkata coach I hear had some health problems, and I hope he is fine and his health recovers. Everything that we work with which involves emotions is beautiful.

Sometimes we get bad results and we get upset, not necessarily because of the results, but because of how the results have come.

Q. What did you say to the boys at the end of the penalty shootout and how would the celebrations be since one of the players is celebrating his birthday today?

A. Zico- It is always sad after we face a defeat, but we have to put on a strong face and keep our heads held high, because we have worked very hard. After the penalty, I thanked them for all the time we spent together, for their professionalism and for the hard work that they showed in the games.

I wish them a bright future ahead. A big hug to all and thank you.