FC Goa climbed up to fourth spot on the Indian Super League (ISL) table after beating FC Pune City 2-0 on Saturday night at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
Winger Romeo Fernandes and substitute Miroslav Slepicka provided the goals to give Brazilian legend Zico's team a much-needed boost as they chase down league leaders Chennaiyin FC who are four points ahead, with a game in hand.
The home team kicked off proceedings all guns blazing and Pune City stopper Arindam Bhattacharya had to pull off a save in the opening minute to deny Zohib Amiri's cross from creeping under the bar.
With only six minutes on the clock, Fernandes won a free-kick on the right which was floated in by Andr Santos and the former ghosted in front of the static Pune City defence to glance his header past Bhattacharya in goal.
Santos and Fernandes continued to dazzle for Goa in attack but the visitors had a chance to pull level when Park Kwang-ll connected with Kostas Katsouranis' pass. But he was denied by an alert Jan Seda.
The second period saw Pune trying desperately to find the equaliser and despite throwing former Juventus FC and French striker David Trezeguet into the mix on 83 minutes, Pune still could not find the breakthrough.
Zico could sense that Pune were getting the upper hand in the matchup and introduced Clifford Miranda, Jewel Raja and Slepicka to the fold. His tactical move paid dividends when the trio combined to see the Czech Republic striker Slepicka score Goa's second goal of the game to seal all three points.
Zico said: "We have to take it one game at a time. We have another match on Nov. 26 against Kerala Blasters FC and we want to go out and win it.
"Everyone has the right to play well. We did so in the first half and they did in the second. In Pune, we had the opportunities to score but were unable to get a goal. Today, they had chances but didn't score. Football is like that."
Goa will play Kerala Blasters FC on Nov. 26 while Pune will take on second placed Atletico de Kolkata at home three days later.