PANJIM: Having missed the qualification to the top GFA’s Goa Professional League (GPL) by a whisker, Cortalim Villagers are hoping against hope of making it to the prestigious League in 2023-24 season.
Both, Young Boys of Tonca (YBT) of Caranzalem and Cortalim Villagers finished on same number of points – 9 each from 5 matches – in the critical qualifying league stage. Cortalim had a superior goal difference of plus 5 to YBT’s plus 1 and thought that they should have been placed above YBT. However, as per the GFA’s tournament rules and regulations, unlike the AIFF’s, it is head-on that decides the qualification. Cortalim needed just a draw to make it to GPL in their last match against YBT, but they faltered at the very last hurdle.
The teams fought a goalless first half. After conceding a goal to YBT in the 59th minute, Cortalim managed to equalise in the 81st minute. With nine minutes and add-on time left, Cortalim were on the way to the qualification mark, but a self goal in the 89th minute sealed their fate.
Cortalim’s assistant coach Johnson D’Sousa was at a loss to understand the final classification in the Play-Off league which placed them below YBT. He was under the impression that his team with a plus5 goal difference to plus1 of YBT’s should have been placed above. The GFA subsequently, is learnt to have clarified the matter that as per the regulations in force, if teams finish on the same number of points, the placement is to be decided on head-on result between the teams.
Cortalim have not given up on qualification for GPL and are hoping that the rumour of Salgaocar disbanding the team in GPL, (Salgaocar have upto June 15 to decide it offically), may favour them as one place in GPL could then remain vacant. Since the team has MLA Antonio Vaz as its president, the problem of funds is not a matter of concern, a Cortalim Villager pointed out.
Meanwhile, YBT has already begun its preparations in right earnest for the new League and have appointed young Sanroy D’Sousa of Merces as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). President Nelson D’Cunha exuded confidence that the club will put up a good show with several promising football players knocking the door of the club. “With Sanroy in charge of the operations, it will be a professional management at work with the involvement of the people and others so that a strong fan base is augmented as the club is very popular in Ilhas and has a strong following,” pointed out Nelson.
Gopi Gad, who captained the team in the Play-Offs, said that the club will follow the new GFA’s Club Licencing Criteria and will enroll also recognised professional players for the season. “We will revamp our training module and resort to physical fitness training programme to start with during the rainy season. Our club is bent on putting up a good performance and as such a strong team playing attractive, attacking football which will attract fans, will be fielded,” stated Gad.
