Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Goa’s only club in the 2018-19 I-League — Churchill Brothers Football Club — after over two-and-half months’ rigorous training is geared up to launch their challenge in the prestigious national football tournament organised by the All India Football Federation with the away match against defending champions Minerva Punjab FC on October 28, at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, at 2 p.m.
Speaking to media during the unveiling ceremony of the team, President Churchill Alemao informed, “The team has undergone a major revamp with the inclusion of five foreigners of valuable standing.”
“Our talented local boys blessed with plenty of exposure and grit coming up trumps, as was witnessed during the practice match against FC Goa, at Bambolim, recently, which we won 2-1.”
“Many fans met me and congratulated our team for the splendid display, pointing out that there was good depth both in the attack as well as defence with the midfield also rising adequately to the occasion.”
On Romanian Head Coach Petre Gigiu, Churchill commented that there is a new strategy adopted by the new head coach who has been working with the boys for nearly two months now. He is a task master who never misses even the finer details.”
“He is methodical and rigorous in his approach, always stressing on team work, coordination, concentration and understanding. And the boys have responded superbly. They are raring to go with the sole objective being to regain the prestigious national title which we have won twice in the past.”
“We have roped in five foreigners from Uganda, Gambia, Bosnia, Lebanon and Trinidad and Tobago. Two promising Brazilian players also did undergo trials for quite some time, but we had to de-register them mainly due to the language difficulty. The two goalkeepers — James Kithan and Vigneshwaran Baskaran are certainly among the best ones to be recruited by us,” remarked Churchill.
“The rest of our squad is packed with plenty of talent with rich and varied experience with some having come from ATK Kolkata, Bangalore, Punjab and East Bengal.”
“Since ours is the only Goan club which enables to showcase local talent, some have migrated from Dempo Sports Club and Salgaocar FC as this is the only chance to earn attention at the national level. That apart, we have retained and rewarded some of the past players for their consistency and progress, their graph being on the ascendency.”
CEO Valanka Alemao pointed out, “We are better prepared this time, with adequate time available for the selection of the players and the head coach. We have had a rigorous fitness regimen and all are fit and looking forward for the tough journey ahead.”
“I am confident that the boys will perform to their best. We believe we can reach the top. We can accomplish our goal as that’s the belief of the players and the officials. The first match is somewhat tricky always. Our match against Minerva will be a tough one no doubt, but the boys have all the requisites to challenge the rivals and emerge victorious, come what may. They are fighters and will never give up,” said Valanka confidently.
