Zambrotta: Pleased with the win; Zico: We still have hope

THE GOALS CAME LATE for Delhi. Substitute Marcelinho and Gadze scored for the Lions. Coach Zambrotta was visibly delighted with the victory and in the post match conference said,

“Marcelinho is very important for us and he has played very well so far and he needed recovery so that was the reason behind not starting him and bringing him on in the second half, and I also think Badara [Badji and Kean [Lewis] did well after coming on and I am very happy with the team's performance,” 

Zico was unhappy with the loss but refused to throw in the towel for the contention of the semi final berth and said

"When we lose we are never happy but I'm pleased with my players, the spirit with which they fought in the game. They didn't give up till the end”

Answereing a question on how he felt after winning finally and ending the streak of draws, Zambrotta said,

 “I didn't have any problem with the draws because the other teams also played well and we also created opportunities to score. But it was pleasing to win the match today.”

Zico, still sounding honestly hopeful of a first four finish said,

"Our situation is complicated, difficult. We need to win at least five games from seven matches but still we are breathing and as long as we are breathing, we have hope.”

Alongside Zambrotta was defender Anas Edathodika, whose goal line clearance denied FC Goa from taking the lead. On Delhi's first clean sheet of the season said,

“This was a difficult and important match for us and they are a good team and we respect them and the team was fully prepared for this match, and it was important for us to get the three points"

Anas also thanked Zambrotta and the staff for the support to him while he was injured and said,

“The coach has backed me and the physios and doctors have done a great job"

Zico surprised many by playing Balmuchu in the center midfield. Asking to explain his intention behind that move, Zico replied to that,

"His original position is in defence. He was playing in the midfield because I don't have a player available in that position with necessary characteristics. But he did not compromise the match in any way. We had many chances, shots that hit the post. In 10 minutes, they scored two goals and penalised the defence. We train so that these kind of things don't happen but they happened.”

Talking about Anas's goal line clearance Zambrotta said,

“That is my job and if I will not clear the ball then there is no use me being a defender and regarding how crucial it was, it always depends on the situation.”

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