Kolkata: Brazilian legend Zico on Tuesday criticised the artificial turf at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan here, terming the surface "not suitable" to play football.
Having come here earlier as coach of Japan for a World Cup qualifying game in 2004 when his team thrashed India 4-0, the FC Goa manager in the Hero Indian Super League football tournament said he missed the natural grass.
"The only difference I see now is in the turf. It was real grass then, now it's artificial turf and I don't think it's suitable to play football on this surface," the three-time World Cup regular said on the eve of their ISL fixture against Atletico de Kolkata.
Recollecting Japan's win that was marred by a black-out, Zico said: "We expected everything to be 100 per cent right because it was a World Cup qualifier. We were not at all disappointed. We had a good memory of Kolkata."
The celebrated player and coach might have had many success stories but the amazing Goan turnaround in the ongoing ISL would rank among the best, Zico said.
"Of course, it is one of the greatest moments in my career because it is not easy when you're at the bottom of the table. And then you have a turnaround like this by qualifying to the semis with one round to go especially when the competition is too stiff in the tournament.
"As you can see it's the last round and all the teams have the chance to make the last four," the 61-year-old added.
FC Goa have won four matches on the trot including the game against leaders Chennaiyin FC in their previous outing and are in the middle of a dream run winning five of their last six games.
But the Goans had a shaky start as they suffered four losses in the first six matches including at the hands of ATK in an ill-tempered home match.
The Brazilian however said it's football that matters most now. "Whatever team I coach I tell my boys to go the ground and just play football. Nothing else," he said when asked whether he would ask his boys to cut down on tempers.
Zico has won 71 Brazil caps, including three World Cup appearances in 1978, 1982 and 1986, and has coached in Brazil, Japan, Turkey, Russia, Greece, Iraq and Qatar.
Meanwhile, Goan defender and local lad Debabrata Roy said he's relishing playing under the Brazilian.
"Not many would know my first international match was against his team in Japan. I'm just enjoying this phase."
He said unity was the mantra behind their turnaround and that the coach had full faith in their abilities.
"He has always instilled faith in us, believe in yourselves. We are a very good unit.
