PANJIM: Goa has always been among the dominant states in Indian football. Yet, the same dominance has rarely been reflected in the Subroto Cup, India’s most prestigious school football tournament. However, Goa’s representatives this year, Government HSS Sanquelim are eager to break the jinx.
After years of dejections at the mega tournament in Delhi, Goa continues to be considered as the minnows at the Subroto Cup.
Needless to say, Govt HSS Sanquelim had an unbeaten run in the tournament in Goa, which won them a ticket to Delhi where the ultimate contest will be held.
The Sanquelim team is pouring with talented players from the Sesa Football Academy based in the same town. As many as ten players from the academy make up the higher secondary school’s line-up. That’s not it. These are the same players who were part of the Progress High School team that represented Goa last year at the national capital. Hence, the team is not just boosted with confidence but experience too.
To add to their advantage, AFC ‘A’ License coach Ajay Acharya has been mentoring the players.
Ajay has been very effective with youth teams. The coach from the Sesa FA has also managed teams in the past at the Subroto Cup. This will be his third expedition. “Subroto Cup is a prestigious tournament. It’s a platform to scout good players and hence players give their 100 percent too. So the competition is massive,” says coach Acharya who seems to have done the background work well.
Acharya had also coached the Progress HS team last year and the results were pretty impressive. The team won three games at the league stage. But suffered a loss to All India Army XI, which hampered their progress to the next stage by a whisker. “As I said, the competition is massive. A small team from a small state is made to compete with national teams. But we cannot let that get into our way. If we could perform so well last year with almost the same set of players, this year should be better for us,” Achary says with great optimism.
In fact, Acharya and his boys are not thinking of the unfair challenge. Their intentions this year are to surprise all by winning the maiden title for Goa. “The team is highly motivated.
We are tactically and physically strong with the influx of the Sesa FA players and adapting a one-touch football style makes us even stronger,” Acharya reinstates his team’s capability.
The Sanquelim outfit proved its metal when they drew 1-1 in a recently played friendly match against the India U-17 World Cup team. The team that comprises of promising players at every position has been working tirelessly. Despite the team effort, the team will have to bank on their creative midfielder Cyrus Noronha to create the openings and striker Daniel Lobo to convert the chances into goals. Goalkeeper Runal Gaonkar has been impressive throughout the
tournament in Goa and coach Acharya will expect him to continue the same form in Delhi.
What’s also motivating the boys is a possible opportunity to meet football legend Pele who is expected to visit Delhi somewhere around the same time. “It will be a great honour for Indian football. The boys are looking forward to meet the legend. We hope it works out,” concludes Acharya.
With an experienced set of players and coach, Sanquelim have all reasons to believe in their dreams as they embark on their journey to Delhi on October 2.
