TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: As dawn broke, news that Goa’s greatest footballer was no more came as a rude shock to the football fraternity of the State.
The Dhyan Chand of Indian football, legendary dribbler Dominic Soares, who formed part the most lethal strike force of Andrew, Bernard, Catao, famously came to be known as the ABCD of Goan football and forte of Vasco Sports Club, succumbed to a massive cardiac failure at his residence.
Dominic was to pick up his wife Theresa from the airport, who was returning from Dubai, after spending time with her daughter and son there. Dominic is learnt to have
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taken his car out of the garage around 4 am, to drive to the airport to pick up his wife.
For some reason Dominic returned to his house and closed the front door from the inside. Theresa on arrival, noticing Dominic not around, called the residence and his mobile but received no response. Taking a private cab from the airport she reached her residence at Saligao, only to find it locked. With the help of neighbours they managed to open the back door where they found Dominic no more on a chair. At the time Dominic was all alone at his residence.
Saligao-born Dominic started his career with Young Rovers in Tanzania where his family had migrated in the early sixties. Dominic started making headlines when he returned to Goa in 1967, playing for his village Saligao Sporting Club, which was winning tournaments all over the State. Then as destiny would have it, Dominic was invited to play a one off match with Salgaocar against Vasco Sports Club, which was at its peak.
Dominic made a strong impact in the match with his magical mystical art of dribbling, tearing apart his rival weaving his way past four to five players at a time, as if the ball was glued to his feet.
Dominic impressed his opponents who wasted no time in roping the dribbling wizard and signed him on. He then played with Academica before returning to Vasco Sports Club. He also spent a season at Dempo SC and then rejoined Vasco SC. Saligao Sporting Club was Dominic’s cradle where he played alongside Tony Remedios, Filomeno and Chiquito (D’Cruz brothers), Romeo Remidios, Francis D’Souza, Newton D’Souza and others.
The ABCD quartet of Vasco was unique; such a quartet never came before nor after in Goa and as a matter of fact it is unlikely to come in future. It has carved a niche in the heart of Goan football.
People would throng where Dominic played his game. In Kerala he was treated as God and would be lifted around by fans whenever Vasco played.
The news spread like wild fire of the sudden death of the 68-year-old legend.
His amazing dribbling and scoring abilities made him a legend of the game as he brought glory to the State in the 70s and 80s. He closes a significant chapter in the history of Goan football leaving behind fond memories for the new generation. Rich tributes began to pour in and players and officials alike made a beeline to his residence to pay tributes.
Dominic is survived by his 89-yead-old mother Rosie, wife Theresa, daughter Tracy Remidios (Dubai), Tanya D’Souza (London), sons Terence (Bengaluru) and Titus (Dubai).
The funeral dates will be announced at a later date, according to a family member.
