10 Goan players in Team India for IFA Men’s Futsal World Cup

ALLAN D’CRUZ

allan@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: In what could be a once in a life-time opportunity for some talented players, India will be participating in the International Futsal Alliance (IFA) Men’s Futsal World Cup in China from August 20-25.

We might have not won any major football titles lately but Goa has won almost every National Futsal crowns in recent times. There is quality, there is talent and the most — the passion for the Sport in the State.

Whilst there have been plenty of debates over Goan’s representation at National team in football, the Goan futsal community managed to give India 10 players out of 12.

Lyndon Cardoso, Clarence Furtado, Sugitesh Mandrekar, Rizbon Fernandes, Fredson Marshall, Caitano Fernandes, Michael Silva, Cyrus Noronha, Sachin Patil and Beckham Xavier are the ten Goan futsal players who will represent the country at the IFA Futsal World Cup in China.

Football greats Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho all began playing futsal before moving into football. Perhaps, futsal has proved to be the breeding ground for talent. 

“We have a good pool of talent a blend of experienced and tactically sound players. It’s great to have 10 Goan players in the team but they all made the cut purely on merit basis,” said coach Joao Rebello. 

Joao has a strong experienced players with the likes of Fredson Marshal, Michael Silva, Chanpeet, who has played in the Premier Futsal alongside Brazilian great Ronaldinho, Ryan Giggs and others. Chanpreet won both the Premier Futsal seasons with his teams.

“I have understood the players and they have got to know each other well in the past two months. With the quality of players we have, we shall be playing 1-2-1-1 style,” explained Joao, who is also a coach at the Sesa FA.

When asked to describe his squad, Joao said, “Michael Silva has been true leader in the team and is playing as ala. His ability to keep the unit as made the team even stronger. Then I have experienced Sugitesh in the goal who have been instrumental in winning two Nationals for Goa.”

But it will be Fredson who will have to play the most important role in the team to give Team India the much needed goals. The target man in Joao’s system is the most experienced player in the sport and also has four goals to his name at Premier futsal.

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THE SQUAD