PANJIM: After a two-month break from the competitive football, it was back to business for Goa’s two biggest clubs — Dempo Sports Club and Salgaocar Football Club who began their pre-season training at Miramar Beach.
It wasn’t an usual scene at the famous beach, as the shore was divided by The Greens and the Golden Eagles who are gearing up for the upcoming Goa Pro League season. It isn’t the same level of football for the two footballing giants ever since their withdrawal from the I-League. The number, charm, personalities of the past (now playing in ISL) had all gone but the same charisma remains as the clubs continued their pursuit in developing talent in the State. Football hasn’t been the same ever since then.
Last season’s Goa Pro League runners-up Dempo SC were the first among the two sides to take on the beach with the squad doing long runs, shuttle runs and other core building drills.
But it wasn’t the usual Dempo SC squad which came the second best in the Goa League with plenty of unusual faces along with season campaigners —Joaquim Abranches, Beevan D’Mello, Mathew Gonsalves —grouped for Coach Samir Naik’s briefing.
Goalkeeper Tyson Caidoo has shifted to UK for better prospects while Jessel Carneiro has joined ISL side Kerala Blasters. Mario Mascarenhas, Chatur Naik and Josley Dias weren’t seen at the training site while there were handful of youngsters who have joined the senior training from the Youth Development.
Altory Rodrigues, Ariston Costa, Rajat Harijan, Kidron Fernandes, Velroy Carvalho, Desmond Fernandes, Larryl Mascarenhas and Wasim Shaikh are the eight players form the Dempo SC Youth Development side who might earn their place in the senior team provided they manage to please coach Samir with their performance and fit his system.
“We have just began the initial training and nothing has been finalised yet. We are going to check the squad and mostly most of the players will be retained. Haven’t finalised on new signings yet, however, this year we might promote some of our youth development players as we have a best pool of talent,” said Dempo SC coach Samir Naik, who added that he shall complete the unfinished business. “Last season we missed the title by a game. We finished runners-up in the
last two seasons but this season I am aiming to win the crown,” Coach Samir Naik was assisted by Goalkeeper coach and Team Manager Richard Sanchez who will have a busy pre-season either signing a new keeper or training the available goalkeepers.
At the other end, Salgaocar Football Club were straight on the beach pretty much organised and set for the practice as they had began their training from July 5.
The players were indulged in fitness building drills under the watchful eyes of Coach Levino Anthony Pereira.
“We are happy to be back as football is our passion. We have the same team and we wouldn’t be signing any players this year. We have one of our player and last season’s leading goal scorer Ronaldo Oliveria gone on trails at East Bengal and if he is selected then I we won’t have him. Rest of the squad remains the same,” explained Pereira.
Like Dempo SC, Salgaocar FC have also called in many players from their first division team to join the senior team.
“We don’t intend to sign any players as we believe in giving platform to our own players. This year, we have promoted around nine of our First Division team players and I think they should fit in our plans,” stated Pereira.
Last season Salgaocar finished fourth but this year coach Levino has set the goal. “The goal is clear. We have to win the title this year.
I have a good set of players and I will work hard along with them to get there,” concluded Pereira.
