Co-owner Virat Kohli, actor Varun Dhawan, legendary Brazilian footballer Zico and Robert Pires at the FC Goa jersey launch in Mumbai. (TOI Photo) PANAJI: If anyone needed any reminding, the Indian Super League (ISL) is proving it is not just some grandiose jamboree that gives industrialists, cricketers and Bollywood stars a piece of the football pie. Essentially, this remains a football tournament, and on the evidence of what the league has showcased in the first three days, there is very little that has separated the teams. FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC complete the first round battles at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday and it's no surprise that both sides are looking to hit the ground running, or, as FC Goa chief coach Zico admitted, there is a danger they could be left behind.
"In a league like this one, every match becomes crucial, especially those at the start," said Zico, the best-paid manager in the league and, unarguably, the man with the biggest footballing reputation in India at the moment.
A two-time World Player of the Year and among the greatest footballers to kick the ball, Zico's presence is considered an added advantage for FC Goa. But the man can't score goals from the dug-out and will have to rely on a team that has so far been sluggish to embrace his attack-minded philosophy.
In two of the three friendlies that the team played, FC Goa looked out of sorts, unable to dictate terms. Of course, all three have resulted in victories but the smirk on Zico's face gave the story away.
"Friendlies are different to what we will play in the opening game. Everyone knows the players don't really give their best in training," explained the Brazil legend.
Zico, however, confirmed that he would continue with "more or less" the same squad that played the friendlies and trained separately on Tuesday. Which means one Arsenal legend - Robert Pires - will be the centrifugal force around whom the team will revolve, while another former Arsenal left-back, Andre Santos, will remain on the bench.
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