FC Goa's 0-2 loss against Delhi Dynamos at Fatorda on Sunday might have further dented the chances for Zico managed club to make it to the knock-out stage of ISl 2016. last year's finalist FC Goa is currently reeling at the bottom of the table with just four points from seven matches.
However, Zico may have reasons to keep believing that his team's chances are still not over despite being at the bottom of ISl points table. "We are still breathing, and as long as we are breathing, there is hope," says Zico indicating a look at the Points Table where the leader (ATK) with just eight points difference (at 12 points) is not very far to catch up even for the bottom placed FC Goa.
Zico knows he now need five wins from the second half of seven matches in the remaining league journey, or 15 points to qualify for the knock-out stage.
In ISl 2014, both finalist Kerala Blasters and Atletico de Kolkata qualified for the semi-finals with 19 points each, while for ISl 2015 the stakes went a little up with Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin FC needing 22 points each to make it to the knock-out stage.
But it's turning out to be different time this season. A top of notepad calculation indicate ISl 2016 season will see any team with 18 points and above would have chances to make semis.
Trends at the ISl 2016 half way stage suggest, there are a lot less results than the first two editions.
This ISl campaign has already witnessed 10 draws out of 27 matches played so far. FC Pune City at 7th place in the standing with 6 points or bottom placed FC Goa with 4 points are just two quick wins away to displace any of the top four clubs.
Another interesting trend noticed this season of ISl so far is that of the 27 matches so far, 11 matches have gone in favour of away team while 10 have been drawn and its only 6 times a home team has won in front of its crowd.