Inacio Noronha
inacionoronha@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Football fans, especially in Salcete, were ecstatic with their joy knowing no bounds as soon as Churchill Brothers Football Club scripted a well-deserved 2-1 victory over Kolkata giants East Bengal in a 13th round Hero I-League national football encounter in Kolkata today.
It was Churchill Brothers’ third victory in-a-row after a set of dismal performances when the team was written off even by a section of the press. It was a virtual resurrection from the dumps having languished at the bottom of the table with no points to show.
But what is to be savoured is that the victory against powerful East Bengal was recorded in Bengal’s own den and in front of a packed partisan crowd.
Moreover, it came just three days after Churchill Brothers beat another Kolkata great Mohun Bagan in Goa last Sunday.
“The two victories proved that Goan football is well above Bengal. The victory against East Bengal re-established Goa’s supremacy once more and when Dempo, Salgaocar and Sporting withdrew one often thought that it was the end of Goan football in the national league. But alas, it proved wrong even when three Goan giants opted out with Churchill Brothers filling in with aplomb one must say,” remarked an ardent Salcete football fanatic who preferred to remain anonymous.
“The victories against the Kolkata greats are a victory for Goa and all Goan football lovers. It’s a matter of great satisfaction that Goan football is making waves once again, thus proving that the Government’s declaration that football is the State official game is no flash in the pan. And, the person responsible for this great change in attitude is none other than their new head coach Derrick Pereira, another Goan, who was on the sidelines. Kudos to Derrick for bringing about a total change in Churchill Brothers’ outlook in the second-leg and being the motivator par excellence,” stated GFA executive committee member Anthony Mum Fernandes from Colva.
“A great victory indeed. We owe it to God and to everyone’s prayers. We have still to keep praying that the team will continue playing in the same vein despite our handicaps. voiced Churchill Brothers’ CEO Valanka Alemao.
“I have been receiving several congratulatory messages and it is with great humility that I accept these. These victories should not go to our head and instead, we have to approach every game with the same determination and zeal to play well and win. Kudos to all players, coach Dereck, assistant coach Alfred, manager Derrick, the physio, the physical trainer, the kit boy and all officials connected with the team. It’s after all, a result of great team effort. I congratulate the players for their splendid display, hard work and perseverance despite adversities,” added Valanka Alemao.
“The defence stood out today against the surging East Bengal strikers, while captain Anthony Wolke and Kroma were thorns in the East Bengal defence. And, the midfielders did a splendid job, one time helping the strikers and then falling back at other times. We need to keep Goa’s flag flying high as we are the only Goan team in the prestigious league,” said Valanka.
“Our team is a group of players who may not have high star ratings, experience or talent, but are equal in commitment to achieve success. Theirs has been a single minded dedication and the result of continuous efforts which have been able to take their confidence level to a new high,” stated Churchill Alemao, the president of the club.
“Our new coach Derrick managed to push the players beyond what they are capable of and so they are growing. I knew we had something and that with single minded dedication we would be able to garner full points that we badly needed. We have encountered many defeats, but we believed that we must not be defeated.
“It’s good to know that we are fighting well and winning. Success, after all, is a vehicle which moves on a wheel called hardwork. And, the coach has now injected the fuel called self-confidence which needs to last,” concluded Churchill.
