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Atletico de Kolkata take on FC Goa
22 Nov 2015

KOLKATA: Atletico de Kolkata and FC Goa have a chance to take a giant step towards knock-out qualification of the Hero Indian Super League as they face each other in a vital clash in Kolkata on Sunday.

 

Atletico de Kolkata are placed third on the ISL table but there is only a point separating them with FC Goa on top of the table with 18 points.

 

Kolkata will move to the top of the table if they can get the better of Zico’s side on Sunday but coach Antonio Lopez Habas knows the task ahead of him.

 

“It is a more important game for us and I think the most difficult till now,” Habas said during the pre-match media briefing.

 

Kolkata played an eventful 1-1 draw against FC Goa in Goa and held on for a point despite being reduced to 10 men. The visitors, interestingly, are yet to register a win against Kolkata having faced them on five occasions since the start of ISL last year.

 

“Each game is a different game. Goa is in a great position but ATK is prepared to win,” said Habas.

 

FC Goa recorded a 7-0 victory in their previous clash against Mumbai City FC but Zico was not willing to take anything for granted.

 

“For us, we always play to win.  There is no guarantee in football even if we score seven goals in a game. We came here to search for a win and there is no relaxing. The position that we are (at the moment), we have our feet on the ground. If we don’t win the games that are remaining, we will not be in the top four,” said Zico.

 

FC Goa’s poor record against Atletico de Kolkata of not being able to script a win was put to Zico and the Brazil legend remained unperturbed.

 

“There is no revenge or rivalry. I have come here to do my job. I don’t want to be better than anyone or to be bad. Hopefully, I can do good things in the FC Goa team,” he said.

 

Initially there were reports that Atletico de Kolkata were ready to sign Dudu Omagbemi as one of their replacement but the Nigerian striker eventually ended up in Goa. Zico was pleased to have him in his team and the Nigerian striker did well to score a hat-trick in the last game.

 

“I was surprised that no one picked him ahead of the second season. We are happy with the opportunity to get him in our side now,” said Zico.

(REPORT AND PICTURE COURTESY -- HERO ISL).

 
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