17 Jun 2019 | 06:11am IST
GFA hails Daisy, Karen’s U-17 National squad inclusion
PANJIM: The Goa Football Association (GFA) president, Churchill Alemao congratulated the two Goan girls - Daisy Crasto and Karen Estrocio - for being selected for the National U-17 women's football team which will be travelling to Hong Kong for an exposure tour ahead of the selection of the National squad for FIFA U-17 women's World Cup to be held in India in 2020.
"It is due to the far-sightedness of the GFA's Women's Football and Women's Competition Committee headed by Carol Gomes alongwith the GFA's Technical and Coaching Committee led by Lavinio J Rebello, that the two Goan bright prospects made it to the India squad. Both, Daisy as well as Karen, were the stars of the Goa under-17 State team which participated in the Junior Nationals, having undergone intensive coaching under the guidance of head coach Carol at Taleigao," stated Churchill.
"It is a matter of great pride that Goa found a representation in the India women's U-17 squad, unlike when the State had no boys in the India under-17 men's World Cup, with some of the matches being played in Goa, which was a matter of great disappointment for Goans. The girls will get valuable experience in Hong Kong playing against tough opponents. It will be a wonderful experience as they will play against competitive teams, which will enable the twosome to ultimately cement a place in the first eleven. They have great potential in ultimately making it to the India team for FIFA U-17 women's World Cup 2020, with a 4-team group matches being played at Nehru Stadium at Fatorda in October/November 2020," pointed out Churchill.
Churchill also praised the parents, coaches and physical education teachers of Regina Martyrum HS Assolna from where Daisy hails and Our Lady of the Rosary High School, Dona Paula, the alma mater of Karen.
"I have high hopes that the twosome will be picked up for the India team for U-17 World Cup in 2020. They are hard working, sincere, disciplined and devoted, but need to raise their game further. They are talented.
They played extremely well at the Nationals held in Kholapur and with greater perseverance and further exposure coupled with sustained practice, they are bound to improve further, so as to bring further honour and glory to GFA and Goa," stressed the A-Licence coach Carol, who is the physical education teacher at Our Lady of Rosary, Dona Paula.
