ALLAN D’CRUZ
allan@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Churchill Brothers FC had a perfect start to their I-League campaign with two wins from two games and they can extend the run when they take on Indian Arrows on Saturday and climb at the top of the table.
The Red Machines are considered as the most fearful side in the league so far as they scored seven times in two games with star striker Willis Plaza finding the net thrice.
As much as the seniors, the Churchill Brothers youth teams aren’t at their best. They have performed well in domestic as well as Junior National League. But on December 18, 2019, despite the youth team losing 2-4 against Sporting Clube de Goa in the Hero Junior I-League, CBFC Club Patron Churchill Alemao was joyous on learning about the match insights.
The club were beaten but the match was the stepping stone for the Alemao family. Churchill instantly dialled his contacts and close aids to give the good news. It was his grandson — Aarav Coutinho who marked his Junior I-League debut with the club’s opening goal.
For those who know Churchill Alemao, it’s very rare to see Churchill smile after a negative result. But that day, the end of the day fatigue was soon gone for Churchill who was seen all smiling and celebrating his grandson’s first goal for his own club at his residence late evening.
“I was waiting for Papa (Churchill Alemao) at home and once he came I shared with him the news of scoring my first goal for the Club. He was very happy, delighted and congratulated me and hugged me. Actually I can’t express how happy he was. He even called up his friends and shared the good news,” said Aarav Coutinho.
“For me I never expected this and I felt very happy to make by Papa proud. This is just the start. I want to train hard and work towards my fitness and be the best,” said Aarav as he walked with his little cousins at the Alemao Mansion.
Aarav Coutinho, the son Anna Alemao and Andy Coutinho, has been kicking the ball ever since he was five and is part of the Youth Futsal Academy from 2014. Aarav has been on the right track so far as he has been scoring maximum goals for his school Manovikas English High School and also for his YFA club wherein he was awarded best striker awards too.
As a striker, Aarav is clear in his mind and has set his goals straight — Churchill Brothers FC —that’s where he wants to groom and grow.
Despite having so many football enthusiasts in the family, Churchill Alemao remains to be the most vivid and craziest football lover.
“Papa definitely is most craziest football lover in the family. Though we all love football and follow it very closely, there is none like Papa in the family. He is an example to us and the reason why we all fell in love with The Beautiful Game,” expressed Aarav.
Aarav was just 4 years old when Churchill Brothers FC won their last I-League title, but the boy still remembers the emotions and celebrations. “That time I was too young but I still remember the scenes. But this year I hope we win the title as I will able to remember it much better,” said Aarav.
For the Alemao family, who are considered as the most passionate football family, it’s very pleasing to see the younger generation backing the Red Machines for any of their matches.
If you’re sitting in the VIP gallery and close to the Red Machines’ family, you can see the youngsters (grandchildren’s) participation in the game from the stands through the 90 minutes. Be it in the Goa Professional League or I-League, they are energetic, they (Aarav, Dhruv, Angel, Emmanuel, Eslinda, Antonio) are passionate, whether they are trailing or leading, they keep chanting in unison — ‘Come on Churchill Brothers’.
Surely the best gift Churchill Alemao could receive to see his grandchildren sit in one gallery and share the same emotions as him.
