PANJIM: Football is the official sport of Goa. For Goan soccer fanatics today (Sunday) will be a D-Day as the State will witness three major events with the schedule beginning right from the morning and continuing till late night.
The Goa Football Association (GFA) elections will be held in the morning while the I-League opener between Churchill Brothers FC and defending champions Minerva Punjab FC will be held at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Gurgaon at 2 p.m. and thirdly the Indian Super League match between FC Goa and FC Pune City at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda at 7.30 p.m.
The fate of GFA will be decided with Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao and his old foe – former fisheries minister Avertano Furtado battling it out to chair the Association. The election are likely to be a close contest with 160-odd clubs deciding who will rule the Association for the next four years.
While Churchill claimed that he has 95 per cent clubs on his side Avertano too expressed confidence of winning.
The election has been a fodder for news with members alleging that netas have been splurging money in an unprecedented manner for exchange of votes.
Churchill will also be busy with the team (Churchill Brothers FC) playing their first I-League match.
It may be recalled that Churchill Bros, the only team from Goa to play in the I-League, were relegated last year but were allowed relegation immunity by All India Football Federation (AIFF) last month.
The team, which recently won a practice match against FC Goa, at Bambolim, has undergone rigorous training and is geared up to launch their challenge in the tournament.
President Churchill expressed confidence over the team’s success saying that the talented local boys are blessed with plenty of exposure and a grit of coming up trumps.
In the ISL, FC Goa, who are on the second spot, have sounded out a warning for the other teams with their 5-0 mauling of Mumbai City at home on Wednesday.
Ferran Corominas has netted in his consecutive third game so far helping Goa earn seven points in three outings.
At the press briefing on Saturday, coach Sergio Lobera said he expects a tough game from Pune City and asked the players to be give their 100 per cent for a win.
Besides, Sunday will also witness El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid but with no Messi or Ronaldo for first time in 11 years the match may turn out to be a damp squib.
Real coach Julen Lopetegui has come in for fierce criticism this season, having presided over a run of five games without a win before Tuesday’s unconvincing 2-1 triumph over Viktoria Plzen.
Barca sit top of La Liga on 18 points, just one ahead of the chasing pack in what is shaping up to be the tightest title race in years.
