Doubts over Vasco player Agnel Colaco’s fitness
TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: “Our efforts are solely aimed at regaining the prestigious Santosh Trophy which is eluding us for quite some time now. We are working hard and the players are determined to give their best so that Goa gets the much deserved pride and prestige in football in India,” solemnly declared the GFA officials, coach and the manager of Goa team which is all set to participate in the National championship shortly to decide the champion football state in India.
“All players are fit,” replied coach Anthony D’Sousa and when questioned that Vasco Club had indicated that their player Agnel Colaco was not fit and as such should be referred to the medical board, Anthony said he was not aware about such a communication from Vasco Club and that the physio for the team Brial Colaco had joined just today, when actually Brahmanand Sancoalcar had asked the coach to get the physio right from day one of coaching.
“Agnel is fit. I have seen him for the past three days. I have tested his shooting prowess and free kicks, although he has less stamina,” disclosed coach Anthony, who agreed that he was not the right person to assess the fitness level of the player, who had earlier suffered a hamstring injury.
Vasco Club informed the GFA that Agnel Colaco was nursing a hamstring injury and was undergoing a rehabilitation programme under their physiotherapist.
After doing full training session on Wednesday, Agnel is learnt to have complained of pain. Since there was no physiotherapist with the Santosh Trophy squad, Vasco requested the GFA to send the player to the club so that he could continue with the rehabilitation programme under their physiotherapist.
Vasco stated that they believe the player is not fully fit to represent the State at the Santosh Trophy, and that as such had asked the GFA to refer him to GFA’s medical panel for medical opinion. Obviously, this was never communicated to coach Anthony by the GFA’s administration.
“With no I-League players eligible to be fielded as per the AIFF regulations, the next best talent on view has been selected, with the coaches doing the very best,” remarked manager Babli Mandrekar when reminded that Goa had put up a dismal show in last year’s Santosh Trophy, when Goa even failed to qualify and that the same mistakes should not be repeated, as people’s expectations very high on regaining the symbol of supremacy. “This year, the results will be good,” stressed Babli.
Arjuna Awardee Brahmanand whilst asking the players to remain deeply focused on each and every match and take one match at a time, observed that other states like Haryana had raised their standard, there being lot of development in football there, thus forcing a powerhouse like Goa not to rest on the past laurels but also to raise the standard.
Goa will face Chhattisgarh and Haryana in Group D, their first match being slated on February 14 in Kochi. Unlike in the past when the State team would be airlifted, this time they will have to travel by train. Obvioulsy, something has gone wrong somewhere. GFA Executive Committee member Sanjiv Nagvekar, when asked about it, preferred to say, “It is good to travel by train.”
GFA’s senior vice-president Elvis Gomes emphasized that Goa could not lose sight of Santosh Trophy. “It is the most prestigious event and players need to be reminded that it has great historical significance for Goa. We have won it in the past, and there is no reason why we can’t do it this year.”
Coach Anthony, who agreed he had no notion whatsoever about the standard of Haryana and Chhattisgarh opined that the squad was a mixture of youth and experience with six players who had played last year also forming part of the team now. Some will be donning colours for the State for the first time.
“The boys are putting in their best, they are a highly motivated lot and I am doing my level best to make Goa and Goans proud. We have won two matches and drawn one in practice matches,” stated coach Anthony.
Both, Ramesh Thakur (Procam director, commercial) and Arvin Padhi (UB’s Marketing Manager) were happy that Goa was geared up to stake claim for the title and that the travelling and kitting had been taken care of by Kingfisher for the fourth year in succession. “We are sure that Goa would do better this time and return with the coveted Santosh Trophy.”
The squad:
Jayganesh Goltekar (captain), Maclas Morries, Reagan Julius, Melroy Fernandes, Bonny Nisso, Angel Barreto, Valinto D’Silva, Wellington Fernandes, Marcus Pexioto, Velito D’Cruz, Inacio Colaco, Girish Naik, Marcos Fernandes, Ashley Araujo, Joston Lourenco, Perryson Rebello, Joe Rodrigues, Agnel Colaco, Shelton Dias, Jerose Oliveira. Substitutes: Presley Mascarenhas, Melvin Lobo, Valerio Rodrigues, Lenny Pereira.
Officials: Coach – Anthony D’Souza. Assistant coach – Mathew D’Costa. Goalkeepers coach – Sebastiao A Noronha. Physio – Brial Colaco. Managers – Babli Mandrekar and Gajanan Kerkar.
