MARGAO: Churchill Brothers defensive midfielder Micky Fernandes was named the captain of the Goa Santosh Trophy squad which will start their campaign in the qualifying round against Maharashtra, on January 11.
Goa take on Daman and Diu on January 13 and cross swords with hosts Gujarat on January 16 and finish their engagement when they take on Madhya Pradesh.
The heart of the team belongs to the Sesa Football Academy and Churchill Brothers SC, which have five players from each team. There are four players from Tuff Laxmi Prasad Sports Club, two from Vasco Sports Club and one each from Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim and Goa Velha SC.
Alex Alvares has been forced to fall back on some young but talented players from the Goa Pro League clubs to regain the Santosh Trophy which they won last in 2008-09 season.
For couple years, Goa has relied on the best players but with All India Football Federation not allowing the I-League players to participate, the State has not been performing as desired.
The championship is spread into five zones mainly, North, South, North-East, West and East with only two teams advancing into the final round.
Alex Alvares, coach of Goa squad believes his boys have the quality and will definitely perform in the National circuit.
“We had a short time to prepare the team and I trust they will do the job for us,” Alvares told Herald, on Wednesday evening.
He further stated that the team is a mixture of experience. Alvares does have some experience training a State team as he guided the under-23 squad to emerge champions in the National Championship for Dutta Trophy in the past.
The team has trained for just four days. They did play three friendlies, although the results not been startling. They lost to Churchill Brothers and won against Curtorim Gymkhana.
Elvis Gomes, president of GFA wished the team good luck and urged them to strive hard and bring the trophy to Goa which is eluding for quite some time.
The team: Goalkeepers: Jaison D’Mello (Tuff Laxmi Prasad SC) Fayaz Sheikh (Sesa FA).
Defenders: Mario Mascarenhas (SCC of Cavelossim) Amar Halarnkar (Vasco SC), Savio Fernandes (Goa Velha SC), Ponif Vaz (Sesa FA), Rovan Pereria (Churchill Bros).
Midfielders: Micky Fernandes, Richard Costa, Joshua Rebello, Nicholas Fernandes (all Churchill Bros), Girish Naik, Perryson Rebello, Rayman Fernandes (all Sesa FA), Mackroy Peixoto, Seriton Fernandes (all Tuff Laxmi Prasad).
Forwards: Agnelo Colaco, Melvin Fernandes (all Sesa FA), Marcus Mascarenhas (Tuff Laxmi Prasad), Jerose Olveira (Vasco).
Officials: Arnaldo Costa (Chief de Mission), Alex Alvares (Coach), Anthony D’Souza (coach-cum-manager).
