PANJIM: Having struggled to impress for several editions, a star-studded Goa team boosted with four Indian Super League starlets will kick-off their West Zone Qualifiers of the 70th Senior National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy against Gujarat, at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Tuesday. The kick-off is 4 p.m.
Kerala Blasters and former FC Goa midfielder Peter Carvalho will captain the team which also includes his teammate Dempo SC and FC Goa custodian Laxmikant Kattimani, who will play a part in few games as his busy on National duty with the India U-23 side taking part in the South Asian Games.
Another star attraction will be defender Rowilson Rodrigues, who plied his trade for Mumbai City FC and also for FC Goa in the inaugural edition.
Mastering the midfield will be former India International Francis Fernandes, who spent two seasons in the ISL with Delhi Dynamos FC.
The Goa Football Association officially unveiled the 20-member team on Monday at a city hotel.
Speaking on the occasion, President of Goa Football Association, Elvis Gomes said, “We have won the trophy five times in the past. The Santosh Trophy is a dear tournament and this year we are at the best position to win it at the Zonal’s in Goa as well as at the final phase in Nagpur.”
The ISL had managed to get the fans back to the stands with its aggressive marketing but the All India Football Association has done very little with regard to the I-League which has received poor response in its ongoing season.
However, with some ray of hope, Elvis said,” I would like to ask people to come and support the Goa team.”
The team have trained together for a while now at Rosary Ground, Navelim under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Alfred Fernandes. He is ably assisted by Severino Fernandes of Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim.
Felix D’Souza, the former Sporting Clube de Goa custodian, who rose to stardom with his heroics in the Santosh Trophy in the past, is the current goalkeeping coach of the team, managed by John Silva with R Venkatesh as the physiotherapist.
Also present for the unveiling was former India International Samir Naik, who is a role model to many not only in the State but all over the country.
Samir shared his experiences and said, “I would like to wish the coach and the team all the best. It is a different feeling altogether when a player represents their State and country”.
Goa last won the title in the 2008-09 season against West Bengal 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out. Climax Lawrence, Beevan D’Mello, John Dias and Fulgancio Cardozo found the back of the net in Chennai that day.
Samir believes Goa have the best chance to win the title back this season with a blend of youth and experience.
“We need to get the glory back. I have seen this team and it looks like a side of champions. It is only the final whistle that will tell you if you won or not. I am confident that with this team we should at least win this cup but yes we should be serious about this,” felt Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, Goa’s first Arjuna awardee.
“We have a good squad this year which can go up to the final and win. It can be seen that fans have been supporting and coming back to the stadiums. We have last won the trophy in 2008. The players at my disposal are working hard and are a well blend. Fingers crossed we are taking one match at a time and aim at putting the best foot forward,” said in confidence Head Coach Alfred Fernandes.
Goa next take on Daman and Diu on February 12 and play Madhya Pradesh two days later. Their crucial tie against Maharashtra is on February 18.
The West Zone Qualifiers will see the top two teams from the five contenders — Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra qualify to the final round to be played in Nagpur from March 1 to 15.
