TEAM PROFILE

CALANGUTE ASSOCIATION

Banking completely on their young talent, Calangute Association are looking forward to enthral their fans at home with an aim of sustaining in the league.

“We’ve got a low budget this year. But that won’t affect us, as our aim is to enjoy the league with an aim of surviving relegation,” said Club President Alirio Lobo.

Last season finish: 5

Priced signing: Jerose Oliveira, a former Sporting Clube de Goa player.

Major loss: Jason De Mello (Salgaocar FC)

Player to watch out for: Jerose Oliveira

 

DEMPO SPORTS CLUB

The Golden Eagles came second in the two-horse race losing out to bitter rivals Sporting Clube. However, this year, with renewed ideas, Dempo SC will look nothing less then the champions title.

“We have retained the core team and the team chemistry is really good. This year we will try and finish the unfinished business. Our aim is to lift the crown,” said Jonathan Fernandes, administration head.

Last season finish: Runners-up

Priced signing: Jessel Carniero, Chatur Naik, Josley Dias, Kritikesh Gadekar, Pedro Gonsalves.

Major Loss: Nestor Dias, Kapil Hoble

Player to watch-out for: Jessel Carneiro

 

FC Bardez

Surviving from the jaws of relegation last season, FC Bardez put aside all their previous problems with a new-look team which has over seven players promoted straight from Third Division League, who will get featured in Goa’s elite league.

“With the type of budget I’m operating, we are aiming at top six finish and we will give a good fight to all the teams,” said head coach Savio Roy.

Last season finish: 11

Priced signing: Mobi Rai (Fateh Hyderabad AFC: Second Div I-league)

Major loss: NA

Players to watch out for: The 12 outstation players

VASCO SPORTS CLUB

The new look club under Ravish Narvekar is looking to revive the glory old days of the Port Towners. The club has deputed Mickey Fernandes as the head coach and signed plenty of new faces.

“Our aim is to finish in the top half of the table but definitely we will compete for the league,” explained Technical Director Ravish Narvekar.

Last season finish: 8

Priced singing: Levinson AFonso (Ozone FC), Moises D’Sa (SCC Cavelossim), Sanju Tapa (Madya Bharat FC)

Major Loss: NA

Player to watch out for: Levinson Afonso

 

GUARDIAN ANGEL SC

The Curchorem based club has been one of the most promising club in Goa as they had an incredible journey from Third Division League to Goa Pro League in a span of  three years as they earned continues promotions every year to the Pro League in 2015.

“We have a good squad this year and we will try and better our position this year as compared to last season,” said Nicholas Rodrigues, assistant manager cum player.

Last season finish: 6

Priced signing: Rosario Mendes (Salgaocar FC), Joaquim Carvalho (Salgaocar FC), Micky Vaz, Allwyn Vaz

Major loss: Abel, Aniston Fernandes

Player to watch out for: Joaquim Carvalho

 

VELSAO SPORTS AND CULTURAL CLUB

The South Goa club was the most inspiring club in the GFA First Division League last season under the guidance of coach Jonathan Faleiro which earned them promotion to the top tier league. The club now has been totally revamped as the management has roped in Coach Eban Misqueta who has signed many new faces.

“We would like to have a good platform this season. We want our players to showcase their talent. This is the first time we are playing in the top tier league within four years, we have achievement,” said Manager Ancila Britto.

Last season finish: --

Priced signing: Mathew Colaco (SCC Cavelossim), Myron Borges (Guardian Angel SC)

Major Loss: Jonathan Faliero (coach)

Player to watch out for: Myron Borges

SPORTING CLUBE DE GOA

The Flaming Oranje has dominated the Goan League in past many years, thanks to their dedication and passion towards ‘The Beautiful Game’. With no major changes in the squad the defending champions will look to dominate the league once again.

“We have no major changes in the side except the fact that we have signed four players of which three of them have been signed from Panjim Footballers. This year too we will try to lift the title,” said manager Anjelo Albuquerque.

Last season finish: Champions

Priced signing: Clive Miranda, Shubert D’Costa (stoppers Panjim Footballers) Joston Cardozo (Panjim); Stendly Fernandes (youth setup) Assumption Soares (Salgaocar FC)

Major Loss: No loss

Player to watch for: Akeraj Martins

 

SALGAOCAR FOOTBALL CLUB

Another club with a unique philosophy and mindset is providing a platform to the youngsters. After finishing third in the league last season, the Green Brigade has once again promoted their U-20 players in the senior team to give them a professional experience.

“We finished third last season, this year our aim is to atleast finish runners-up if not the winners,” added Manager Sanjiv Narvekar.

Last season finish: 3

New signings: U-20 players have been promoted to the senior team.

Major loss: NA

Players to watch out for: The youth side

 

CHURCHILL BROTHERS FC

The only I-League side in the Goa Pro League had a season to forget last year as they finished seventh on the table. This year, the Red Machines have made the intent clear as they signed maximum best local talent which will guide them to a higher finish.

“We are confident this year. We have been training hard and the atmosphere in the team is even better. We are aiming to win the title or even a top three finish would do,” said Manager Denzie Ferrao

Last season finish: 7

Priced signing: Nickson CAstana, Gilbert Oliever, Lenny Pereira, Chesterpaul, Ram Swaroop, Bhutia

Major Loss: Dyanachandra

Player to watchout for: Chesterpaul

 

PANJIM FOOTBALLERS

The nursery of Goan football will look to make the best of league playing their second season in the Goa’s elite league. Fielding players in the age group of 16-20, the Panjim Footballers finished ninth last season, above FC Bardez and Corps of Signals.

“We believe in giving chance to the youth and developing them. Our players went on to join the defending champions Sporting Clube. We will aim for a top half finish in the league,” said Simon Mascarenhas, president.

Last season finish: 8

Major Loss: Clive Miranda

Priced signing: Darryl Costa, Clifton Fernandes from Sporting Clube de Goa.

Player to watch: Darryl Costa

 

GOAN FC

The development side to the Indian Super League team FC Goa had an impressive first season in the Goa Pro League which saw around five players earn their place in the first team this year. This year, the side has registered over 30 players and will definitely be title contenders considering the urge of the youngsters.

“We have the best team and if we do well throughout the league campaign we can even go all the way to win the league,” said Manager Richard Rebello.

Last season finish: 4

Major singings: Imran Khan, Papuya

Major loss: Mohammed Yasir to FC Pune City

Players to watch out for: Nestor Dias

 

CORPS OF SIGNALS

The Signals side had a roller-coaster season last year as they are 10th above FC Bardez due to superior goal difference. With the bar already raised by every team, the Signals will have to up the ante to match their opponents or to even better them.

Last season finish: 10

Priced signing: NA

Major Loss: NA

Players to watch out for: Men in uniform