PANJIM: One of India’s oldest and prestigious tournaments, Federation Cup returns to Goa after a decade with its 36th edition beginning on December 28. The final is scheduled on January 11, 2015, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda-Margao.
A total of 23 matches will be played under floodlights, 13 at Fatorda and 10 at Tilak Maidan, Vasco which is the second venue. A total of 15 matches will also be telecasted live.
Mumbai FC face Royal Wahingdoh FC in the Group A match at Nehru stadium, at 7 p.m.
In the Group B encounter, I-League champions Bengaluru FC will take on newly crowned Durand Cup winners Salgaocar FC, at Tilak Maidan, at 4 p.m., although the organizers are making best efforts to schedule the venues matches at 7 p.m.
To promote the tournament, the organizers have arranged a parade on Saturday with the theme- ‘It’s the season of friendly rivalries’ and will include sons of villages such as Romeo Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Dawson Fernandes, Victorino Fernandes, Joyner Lourenco, Cavin Lobo, Lenny Rodrigues and others.
Dempo SC and Sporting Clube de Goa are the other Goan sides in fray of the title which has a cash prize of Rs 25 lakhs for the winners and Rs 15 lakhs for the runner-up.
In addition, Rs 10,000 will be awarded to the Man-of-the-match recipients and rupees one lakh for the Player of the tournament.
However, Churchill Bros SC will not be defending their title as they failed to meet All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Club Licensing criteria earlier this year.
“The Goa Football Association is privileged to host the 36th edition of the Federation Cup. When we hosted it ten years ago (2004), it was a grand success as the Nehru stadium was sold out for the final. The tournament is coming on the backdrop of the huge success of the Hero Indian Super League.
All matches at Nehru stadium will kick-off at 7 p.m. while the matches at Tilak Maidan will start at 4 p.m.,” informed Elvis Gomes, President of Goa Football Association (GFA) at a press conference, held in the capital city, on Friday.
With the recent success of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) and the performances put up by Goan players in the inaugural edition, Elvis said, “In lines of performances, all have become marquee players. We hope people will come for the matches as they did for the ISL. Tremendous crowd support is required.”
Fans will once again get to see their FC Goa heroes in action, especially Romeo, who emerged as the State’s brightest talent in the ISL. The 22-year lad from Assolna will be hoping to carry on his good form for Dempo SC along side Lenny, Clifford, Francis Fernandes, Madar Rao Dessai, Jewel Raja and others.
Meanwhile, players from Sporting Clube and Salgaocar FC will be eager to prove their talent on the National platform.
Victorino and Joyner will be plying their trade for The Flaming Oranje while Dawson Fernandes and Scottish striker Daryl Duffy will try hard to give Salgaocar FC another title.
The ten teams participating are clustered in two groups of five teams each. They will play four matches in a round robbing league format with the top two from each group qualifying for the final.
The tickets are priced at Rs 100 for the North, South and East stands at the Nehru Stadium while a West stand ticket will cost Rs 200 and Rs 300 for the VVIP. The tickets are priced at a uniform rate of Rs 100 at Tilak Maidan.
Anil Kamat, Assistant General Secretary, Competitions of AIFF was also present along with Schubert Furtado, GFA vice-president (South), Lavinio Rebllo, GFA vice-president (North) and other executive members.
Anthony Wolfe, Victorino Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa); Dawson Fernandes, Daryl Duffy (Salgaocar FC) and Romeo Fernandes, Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC) were also present.
