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FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC gear up for 2015 Indian Super League Final

Lúcio, Zico, Marco Materazzi and Elano at the Indian Super League (ISL) Pre-Match Press Conference

 

One of FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC will be crowned the new champions of the 2015 Hero Indian Super League (ISL) in the final clash that will kick off at 19.00 IST at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao, Goa, on Sunday evening.

“Our team is ready. We will play according to the rules. If we have to play extra time or penalties, we will go the distance. We know the team (Chennaiyin) very well. We lost against them (0-4), but the final will be 50-50 for both teams,” FC Goa coach Zico told reporters during the pre-match press conference in the presence of the coveted trophy.

“Despite all the injuries we have suffered throughout the tournament, we have 25 players who can play. Only Raju (Gaikwad) will be out and Reinaldo may play,” he added.

The final being staged in Goa, which is the home of FC Goa, Zico stressed there is no advantage and exclaimed, “The title means crowning of hard work.”

Chennaiyin FC confirmed their spot despite a 1-2 defeat to Atlético de Kolkata courtesy their semifinal first leg 3-0 win and not even the 4-0 win over their final opponent when they last played in Goa serves as an assurance to the southern team’s coach Marco Materazzi.

“In our last game, we were defeated (0-2 by FC Goa in Chennai). Twenty days ago, we were almost eliminated, we kept fighting the odds and now it is 50-50,” expressed the Italian.

“We are ready to play for 90 minutes or 120 minutes, but when it comes to the final the crucial part is to play your heart out. We are ready to give everything we have for tomorrow’s game,” Materazzi stated.

“The final is an equal chance for both teams. Every game has its own story. In this game (final), the team which has more balance and plays the best football will win,” FC Goa skipper Lúcio intoned.

Chennaiyin captain Elano voiced that, “Both sides are dangerous and both play attacking football. More concentration and less mistakes will be the deciding factor.”