Team Herald
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PANJIM: The Goa Pro League has long been the bedrock for Goan football. It’s a path that all the major footballing names in Goa have trodden. And it’s back in action from today as FC Goa take on Salgaocar Football Club in the Goa Professional League opening match at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, at 3.45 p.m.
The return of the much-heralded tournament brings a sense of hope for better days ahead in Goa whilst giving the Gaurs a great chance to further work on their youth development as the new generation FC Goa will take the field on Wednesday.
Last season was a disappointing one for the young Gaurs. A lack of consistency saw them finish fifth. This year’s squad sees eight players promoted from the U-18 team to the Developmental Team that is set to take part in the tournament. This is in line with the Club’s philosophy of promoting and encouraging young talent in the squad for the Goa Pro League.
“Over the years, FC Goa has really shown a real zeal towards developing young players from both Goa and beyond. I had been admiring them from a distance. And now I’m really excited to be a part of it all,” remarked Deggie Cardozo ahead of his first Goa Pro League campaign as Head Coach of the FC Goa Developmental Team.
“The focus continues to be the same – the holistic development of the players. To be a really successful football player in this day and age, it’s paramount that they cultivate good habits – not only in their actions on the pitch but off it as well. And the Goa Pro League gives us a great opportunity to assess not only the players but also ourselves.”
While coach Deggie might be having his first GPL campaign, his opponent Salgaocar FC coach Anthony Leveno Pereira isn’t new to the league.
As a player, Anthony has won the title couple of times, but as a coach the Salgaocar coach is chasing his dream of lifting the crow.
Like FCG, Salgaocar FC has also promoted plenty of players from their youth rank who are waiting to grab their opportunity to prove their point.
“We are ready for the league as the team is in good spirit and have lot of positive energy. After waiting for nearly 10 months, football is back and the players are all delighted to get on the field and go all out,” stated coach Pereira.
This time, the GPL will be played behind closed and without any spectators but that has also given rise to another opportunity for the fans.
“With no fans, there can be a little impact on the game. But the good thing this year is that the matches will be broadcasted live and the fans will able to watch the games from any place,” expressed Pereira.
Salgaocar FC is a club known for producing terrific strikers as they had sold Liston Colaco and Devendra Murgaonkar –two young players to FC Goa in past years. This time around, the forward area would be their key area to be watched.
“We have good strikers and midfielders and I can assure you that our players wouldn’t disappoint anyone,” concluded Pereira.
