CHENNAI: All set for the battle of the table-toppers, Goa assistant coach Vivek Nagul said that the team has the the quality to get past Chennaiyin FC in their Indian Super League (ISL) match tomorrow.
"FC Goa are in good form, we will respect them (Chennaiyin FC) but we will have our own gameplan as well and we have the quality to take all three points again," said Nagul.
However, Zico, the coach cum manager of FC Goa played it safe, "We need to get our players to top form since the home and away matches are different. Now we play tomorrow against Chennai and then we take on Athletico, I am confident of my team's positive performance."
Nagul indicated that there could be changes in the playing eleven and said, "We might rest a few players and give opportunities to those who haven't played much but the team will be decided tomorrow."
On already having made the semi-finals, Nagul said, "Yes we have achieved our target of reaching the semis but we are still taking one game at a time and are determined to win our final two league games in front of our home crowd."
Meanwhile, Chennaiyin right-back Bernard Mendy talked of Nesta joining the team would boost their levels. "He is a quality player with plenty of experience so his addition will be great for us. We are all looking forward to play with him when he joins the team." On facing Goa midfielder Robert Pires, Mendy said, "Before and after the games we are talking a lot and having fun because we know each other for a long time. But friendship will go away once the game starts."
Zico though kept his cards close to his chest, "on mid fielder Robert Pires featuring in their next two matches, I am not to give you my line up. Here we have 20 players ready to play in tomorrow match."
On their journey from bottom of the table to second position and the changes brought about by the young strikers, Zico said, "Andrea, Miloslav and Tolgay are excellent players. We have been training hard daily and that has been the message from the beginning of the season that they should play tactical and mind game. It has been working well for us."
Goa forward Miguel Bruno Pereira Herlein of Portugal credited the team's performance instead of individual accounts for their win in the last three games, where he scored in each game.
"I think the clean chit of winning last three matches was effort of the team. It starts from our strikers and our finishes in Goal keeper. The clean chit that we maintained in the three earlier matches was because of our defense playing well and not so much as an individual one.
"It is very important thing for us as it raises our confidence levels. We always try not to concede goals and that is the main target of the team."
On his shift from a midfielder to a stopper position, Bruno said, "actually I had in the very first game itself talked to my coach Zico. He knew that at my early age was a stopper. I am used to play in that position. First of all, things are going well for us and we need to continue that way. On the other hand, Zico said, "The strikers continue to haunt the rival goal and waited for opportunities. They never stopped believing in themselves."