PRE-SEASON TEST: Zico's boys show good form in the UAE; now need to keep it going

FC GOA ANNOUNCED THEMSELVES at the UAE earlier this month for their pre-season camp to prepare themselves for the second edition of the Indian Super League. Featuring a newly-strengthened squad and the confidence that came from having done well in the inaugural ISL, the Gaurs set about getting the squad balance right under the watchful eyes of their marquee head coach Zico. Other than training at some of the top-notch facilities available over there, part of the plan was to test the side's abilities in pre-season friendlies with some of the local clubs.

The tour itself was unique in its scale; never before had a football club from India gone out to the Gulf with such publicity, to take on top tier sides from both UAE and Saudi Arabia. The friendlies - 5 matches originally planned to take place over 10 days - were to see them travel all over the region; a tour that packed footballing merit as well as a mouthwatering opportunity to grow the franchise's brand reputation internationally.

The first match, against Al Khaleej of Saudi Professional League, took place in Khor Fakkan City. The match saw the Gaurs lay surprise raids on the home side which caught their defence off guard multiple times. Before the hosts could regroup against the onslaught, two brilliant strikes from Joffre and Reinaldo had given them a 2-0 lead.

But afterwards Al Khaleej pushed back and scored two goals, ending the match in a 2-2 draw.

Zico was happy with his team's performance that day and with good reason. Playing a top-tier club from a country ranked 62 spots above India with a brand new squad, a draw was a big deal. The result proved that the squad was gelling, and that FC Goa weren't out there as mere tourists.

But things took a turn for the better when they took on Al Shabab, a footballing giant in the region who have not only become national champions multiple times but also made their presence felt in the AFC Champions League in recent years. The FC Goa players appeared unphased by their opponents as their marquee defender Lucio kept tight vigil over the defence. The visitors then shocked the home fans by taking the lead in the 29th minute as Jofre's free kick took a deflection off a defender and went right in.

Al Shabab equalized through a penalty just before half time but the visitors came back stronger and put increased pressure on their opponents. And it all paid off in the 71st minute when Reinaldo, once again, finished the job after Romeo Fernandes cut right through the Al Shabab defence to set him up.

Although FC Goa were reduced to 10 men for the last few minutes as Lucio was red carded for a high-studs challenge, the Gaurs managed to hold on and registered a victory unparalleled in recent Indian football history. And apart from that, the other big takeaway from the day was the large number of FC Goa fans who had turned up to support the team. The Gaurs were undoubtedly gaining ground, becoming a better side on the pitch and winning hearts off it.

Their 4th friendly took place the very next night as they took on Ajman Club of UAE Pro League. This time at the very outset the home club took the lead. But the Gaurs got level immediately after half time as C S Sabeeth found the net. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after an intense defensive effort from both teams not to concede any further. The result, though less impressive than that of the previous night, was a decent one anyway, especially considering that the team was playing their second match in 24 hours.

The next friendly, scheduled to take place 19th September against Al Jazeera Club, had to be cancelled due to the death of a member of the UAE royal family. Next day, playing against Al Hatta Club, the FC Goa team engaged in a fierce goalfest that ultimately saw them go down 4-2. The game was filled with periods of defensive lapses as the Gaurs went down early, then had to chase the game in a vein effort to get back on equal terms. The margin of defeat would have been larger had it not been for a late penalty.

Although FC Goa ended their pre-season with a defeat, the fact that it was their only defeat says a lot about how they fared in these difficult pre-season fixtures. Zico made sure that the squad was well-rotated, and almost everybody had some playing time before the ISL kicks off early October.

The team more than held their own playing against seasoned professional sides from a footballing region more developed that India. The key players did well; Romeo Fernandes showed bouts of good form, Lucio was solid, Reinaldo scored a couple and Kattimani pulled off some saves that made the difference between a defeat and a draw. With a win, two draws and one defeat, this is a pre-season tour that Zico can be proud of.

The FC Goa team will return home tonight to a well-deserved hero's welcome. But they will do well to keep their head straight and focus on the ISL season ahead. Holding onto this good form is vital, because if they fail to deliver consistently over the next two and a half months, all these preparatory toils in a faraway land would be for nought.