ISL 2014: Zico rues lack of finisher as FC Goa slump to another defeat

Pune: FC Goa have scored three goals in four matches — two have come via defender Gregory Arnolin and one from left-back turned midfielder Andre Santos. Chance creation has not been a problem for the team — with wingers Gabriel Fernandes, Holicharan Narzary and Clifford Miranda in the team and midfielders Robert Pires, Marcelino and Miguel Herlein in midfield all very capable players in the final third. But it’s the finishing that has cost the team. Before the game against FC Pune City, both Zico and Gabriel stressed on converting chances. Post-match their 0-2 loss to FC Pune City on Sunday, the explanation was the same — this time though, the words used were stronger. [caption id=“attachment_1773563” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Zico also rued the fact that his team gifted a goal to a player like David Trezeguet. ISL[/caption] “The team is missing someone who can score a goal. Football is all scoring goals and we don’t have a guy who can score. Today we had four chances to score, but there was no one to score. So we need someone to score a goal.” This is a clear invitation from Zico for his forwards to up their game. Santos, who is a left-back, has been deployed on the wings. Zohib Amiri, who is also a defender, came on and played ahead of his usual position. It wouldn’t surprise if Zico actually converted one of his wingers or attacking midfielders into strikers if Goa’s slump continues. Zico also rued the fact that his team gifted a goal to a player like David Trezeguet. “Mistakes happen in football, but you cannot gift a pass like that to a finisher like Trezeguet.” Goa probably saw more of the ball in the final third — but like almost all their other fixtures, it was their opponents who scored with the chances they had. That isn’t taking credit away from Pune — who played with a direct approach from the off — in comparison to their sluggish performances before this match. FC Goa next take on Delhi Dynamos at home on 1 November.