Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Goa football team led by Head Coach Charles Dias (Sesa FA), assistant coach Levino Anthony Pereira (Sporting Clube de Goa – Head of Youth Development), Manager Custodio Fernandes (GFA’s Executive Member and Goalkeeper Coach Jason D’Mello have worked out tirelessly with the team to put up a good show for the 38th National Games scheduled at Uttrakhand, at Navelim ground, recently.
In the last National Games held in the State, the team failed to enter the knock out stage.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Head Coach Charles, under whose leadership Goa had secured runners-up spot having lost to Services at the recently concluded Santosh Trophy, said, “His team is a mixture of young and old talent. But with little competitive experience, the players need to understand the style of play very quickly and also adjust to cold weather conditions and about the matches they are going to play. There are only 4 to 5 players in the squad from the last Santosh Trophy (2024).”
The Goa squad at present have played three practice matches where they lost to Cortalim Villagers (1-0), drew with Geno FC (2-2) and defeated Vasco SC (2-1).
Charles, who is positive about the boys’ preparation, said that the team will not disappoint Goans and return home with some good result.
Goa will play Assam, Mizoram and hosts Uttrakhand in the qualifying round.
