It was a beautiful game and Goa deserved this victory against Delhi Dynamo by 2-1 goals. In fact the score should have been much higher in favour of Goa had all the attempts made by Goan forwards been converted. No doubt Goa played better throughout but during the second half Goa totally changed the tempo and mode of the play. I admire Zico for reading the game properly from the first half proceedings just as Dr. Carlo Bilardo the manager of Argentina used to do and accordingly to infuse some fresh blood in the team to change the style of play and this was exactly what Goa did resulting in acquiring the much needed victory.
Goa had weakness in its defense line where the defenders especially the deep ones instead of doing man - to - man marking relied on zonal marking and precisely because of this Goa conceded an easy goal. Goan front liners are excellent especially in running having abundant stamina and excellent speed especially outers but the whole show of scoring goals was spoiled by the forwards who were erratic and reckless in their attempts to convert the sure goals. However, the equalizer Goa scored thru the beautiful header by their forward Jewel was itself a Jewel of a goal that completely fooled the opponent’s keeper who was made just a statue under their bar.
What I have observed from the Goan team was much improvement which goes on ascending day by day. Even in previous encounters Goa no doubt failed to acquire the victories yet Goa played an encouraging and entertaining soccer which is seen in reaching to its zenith against Delhi. Even in other teams I noticed lot of improvement.
Knowing from his own experience point of view, Zico must instruct Goan forwards to be selfless especially when they are not certain of converting the goals and pass the ball to their colleagues who are In better position to convert. In its very crucial match against Italy in 1982 after Italy’s Paolo Rossi completed his magnificent hat-trick, Zico’s Brazil only needed a goal to level the score and thus qualify for the next round. When the situation was such, Falcao from the midfield suddenly passed the ball to their skipper Dr. Socrates who cleverly evading past two Italian defenders fed the ball to Serginho who being not in proper position to convert the ball into the Italian net should have pushed the ball to Zico who was just behind Serginho waiting for the kill. But instead out of selfishness, Serginho failed to hit the target inspite of Zico’s shouting to him to leave the ball for him to finish the job. Similar incidents happened yesterday for Goa against Delhi because in Goan forward line there are about 3 selfish Serginhos who require Zico’s stern warning to take corrective steps.
Once again I applaud the team Goa not only for winning the match but more than that for dishing out an excellent brand of soccer.
A.. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.