PANJIM/RAIA: The Goa Football Association President Caitano Fernandes on Sunday appealed Goan fans to attend the inaugural match between Goa and Chhattisgarh and other Goa matches in large numbers to support and cheer the team.
Addressing a press conference at GFA office, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Fernandes said, “In Group A stage, comprising of Goa along with four other teams namely – Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat, Goa will open their campaign against Chhattisgarh on October 9, at SAG ground, Benaulim, at 4 pm. The tournament will go on till October 17.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Sports Minister Govind Gaude, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas are among the other dignitaries, to be present for the inaugural match.
Meanwhile, football is a religion in Goa. The fate of popular teams in the State is said to affect the psychological wellbeing of fans.
Teams in the State play a different style of football that is so different from the rest of the country. But off late, the State team has been suffering defeats in National tournaments. Goans had to endure the pain of their footballers losing to Gujarat in the first round of the Santosh Trophy 2021. It has been a tough time for football fans in Goa.
Now, with the Santosh Trophy’s Group A stage starting from Monday and National Games scheduled to be held in Goa from October 25, fans are hoping that their heroes don’t disappoint them again. Caetano Fernandes, President Goa Football Association, who was out of the State, when contacted said practice had commenced in Benaulim.
The squad, he said, “Had already played three matches against clubs. Derrick Pereira has been appointed as the coach of the team. At first, the GFA selected 40 players, than pruned the numbers down to 22.”
On the residential coaching camp, the GFA president said, “It had not started as yet because the National Games were being held in Goa itself, the residential camp would start eventually.” When asked how confident he felt about the team and its prospects for a medal, he said every team when asked this question would say they were confident of winning a medal.
He said, “I feel it will all depend on the players. We have provided them with the best facilities and it is now up to them. The entire team is U-23 and we will know where we stand when they participate in the Santosh Trophy which will be held before the National Games.”
Asked if any of the players could walk into the national team, Jonathan De Sousa, Vice President North Goa, GFA, said, “Given a bit of time, several of them could eventually make it to the national squad.
