FC Goa chief coach Zico feels his team will remain unaffected by the big loss in the last game (v ATK) as they prepare to tackle NorthEast United FC in a crucial 12th round clash of the Hero Indian Super League in Goa on Wednesday.

FC Goa were flying high after defeating Mumbai City FC 7-0 at home but suffered a huge reverse in their last game when they lost to Atletico de Kolkata 0-4, though the loss did not alter their position on the ISL points table dramatically as they continue to occupy the second spot. Zico, though, said his team would remain largely unaffected.

“Our (big) victory against Mumbai City did not affect us as you see that we lost the next game against Kolkata. The loss against Kolkata will soon be forgotten. We must stay focused and carry on, although I must mention that the loss against Kolkata was largely due to their merit,” Zico said at the pre-match media briefing.

Even though FC Goa had defeated NorthEast United 3-1 in the away clash, Zico is aware he cannot relax at this juncture. “Every game is a must win now. All games are important,” said Zico, indicating they cannot afford to lose any more in the competition now, as it would put pressure on them to qualify.

The FC Goa chief coach said he will have to look at the team in training to find out the availability of players with doubts over Gregory Arnolin, Luciano Sabroza and Rafael Coelho, all of whom are injured.

NorthEast United, on other hand, have scripted a remarkable turnaround after starting the campaign losing the first three matches in a row but now find themselves in run to qualify for the semifinals.

Coach Cesar Farias said he always believed in his team and knew they would come good at some stage of the league.

“We played well in those three games and there was no reason for us to put our heads down. There were also eight players unavailable because of injuries at that time,” explained Farias.

NorthEast United have 16 points in their bag from 11 matches and are placed among the top four at the moment. A win will embolden them especially since they play their last two matches at home against Delhi Dynamos (November 28) and FC Pune City (December 2).

“If you look at it with a cool head, a point should be good enough.  A point will be good while three points will be excellent,” said Farias. (REPORT AND PICTURE COURTESY -- HERO ISL).