PANJIM, JUNE 28
Following players have been chosen for the trials to select the Goa senior team to participate in Santosh Trophy in Kolkatta, West Bengal from July 15 to August 8.
Felix D’Souza (Sporting Clube de Goa), Fulgencio Cardozo (Sporting Clube de Goa),
Sporting Clube de Goa – Mathew Gonsalves, Anthony D’Souza, Cavin Lobo, Nicholas Rodrigues, Filipe Gomes, Adil Khan, Joseph Rodrigues, Wilton Gomes. Salgaocar – Francis Fernandes, Beevan D’Mello, Marcus Mascarenhas, William Colaco, Milagres Gonsalves, Cajetan Fernandes, Anthony Barbosa. Dempo – John Dias, Covan Lawrence, Joaquim Abranches, Godwin Franco, S.Kattimani, Peter Carvalho, Clifton Gonsalves, Nicolau Borges, Tyson Caiado. Vasco – Joy Ferrao. Sesa Goa – Nicolau Colaco, Ivo Gomes. Churchill Bros – Rowilson Rodrigues, Jaison Valles, Savio Carneiro. Mohun Bagan – Branco Cardozo. Goa Velha – Sidesh Morge.
Players have been asked to report to Mariano Dias and Lawrence Gomes at Chowgule Sports and Fitness Centre, Gogol, Margao on July 12 at 10 a.m.
Our Mapusa Sports Reporter adds: There are no real surprises in the selection of players for the trials. The squad is made up of those who have impressed in this season’s I-League and Goa Professional League.
The players who were part of last years winning team have been invited back to defend the trophy. Dempo players Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli will miss the tournament as they will be involved with the India National team training camp.
Wilton Gomes of Sporting Clube de Goa, who has missed the majority of the season with a reccurring thigh injury has been handed a chance to prove his worth in the trial.
Mariano Dias who will coach the team along with Lawrence Gomes as the manager will observe the boys for a week before cutting the squad down to 20 players.
Mariano is concerned about the fitness levels of the players as they have been out of competition for over a month, but he is confident that the players will work hard to get back their sharpness.
Mariano speaking to Herald said, “I do no not feel pressure to go out and win the tournament just because we won last year, but as a coach you always want to do well especially when you are representing Goa.”
