PANJIM: Rated one of the best squad in the recently concluded Santosh Trophy, Team Goa had an early shock exit, despite their late surge in the tournament.
With the likes of experienced Victorino Fernandes, Shallum Pires, Beevan D’Mello, Mackroy Peixoto, Nickson Castanha, Joaquim Abranches in the team, Goa were tipped to clinch the 72nd National Football Championship, with champion coach Armando Colaco guiding the clan.
After their impressive run in the zonal qualifiers, Goa – boasting of experienced players among the ranks – started very poorly in the group stages where they were handed 1-4 drubbing by minnows Mizoram and were later outplayed by Karnataka in their second outings, thus leaving their qualification to the knock outs, depending on the other results.
However, despite their win against Odisha and Punjab in the last two encounters, Goa failed to make it to the semi-finals.
Goa Team Manager Schubert Furtado speaking to Herald said, “Yes, definitely this was one of the best teams we ever had. But I don’t really know what happened out there. We started poorly in the tournament.”
“I can understand we took time to acclimatise to the conditions here, specially the heat. But Mizoram were an excellent team. They played very good football in the first match. But in the second match we were totally outplayed. The players were all over the place and Karnataka scored almost on every attack. That’s probably the poorest game we had,” explained Schubert.
After losing out narrowly in the last edition, the State football association gave free hand to the former India coach Armando Colaco to have a team of his choice — keeping the title in sight. However, having maximum players from Goa’s professional clubs the team flopped. “In fact with the team we had, we bowed out too early in the tournament. We had thought we would be in the final,” expressed Schubert.
With a lot of raw and upcoming talent at their disposal, Schubert felt that the team should comprise of more youngsters in future. “I personally feel that the younger talent should be preferred as this will give them the opportunity to experience competitive football and they can make the best use of it. Keeping in mind of their chances to play for ISL and I-League clubs, the younger players will give their best,” added Schubert.
When contacted, GFA president Elvis Gomes said, “The allegiance to the State team has diminished and it’s even experienced at the inter-village football where the players’ financial demands are increasing”.
Failing to make it the KO’s despite having the strongest team, Elvis said, “The players were either too complaisant that they are a good squad or that commitment level was missing and at this rate I would suggest that we choose junior players who are hungry to perform. We should look at promoting talent and giving the youngsters an opportunity as they have lot to prove.”
Goa surged late in the tournament with impressive wins but Elvis said, “It’s difficult to accept cause to enjoy success you have to have a good start. You can’t start late in such short tournaments.”
