PANJIM: Finishing as leaders of Group B, Salgaocar Football Club are all set to take on the runners-up of Group A, Tata Football Academy in the semi-finals of the U-18 I-League at the Howrah ground, Kolkata, on Sunday. The kick off is 2 p.m.
Salgaocar Juniors enter the fixture after being put the test by the likes of Pune FC, Aizawl FC, Royal Wahingdoh FC and home side East Bengal.
Losing only one of the four games, against Aizawl FC and picking up victories in the rest they finished as the group leaders.
Salgaocar FC lads entered the group after they faced some tough competition in the zonal qualifiers from counterparts of the likes of AIFF Elite Academy, Dempo Sports Club, Sporting Clube de Goa and Sports Authority of India – Goa.
The Greens coach, Anthony Pereira is happy with the way his team has performed and is hopeful to enter the final.
“The boys deserve all the accolades for their outstanding show in the U-18 I-League. If we can play to our potential, we can win the U-18 I-League,” said Anthony, the former Mahindra United and Sporting Clube de Goa medio.
Tata Football Academy has not had it easy on their road to this year’s semi-finals. Coming a long way from last year where they didn’t even make it out of their zonal round. This year they overcame the odds to qualify against teams like Mohun Bagan, Sports Authority of India – Kolkata, Mohammedan Sporting Club, East Bengal and United Sports Club.
Their group draw was no walk in the park either as they drew against reigning champions AIFF Elite Academy, DSK Shivajians FC, Sports Authority of India – Guwahati and Lonestar Kashmir FC. Having lost just one of their fixtures matches against AIFF Elite Academy, they cleared the other fixtures to finish as Group A runners-up.
TFA are focused on development and are here for the result but it’s not their primary goal. The boys have shown their true potential and it’s time for them to keep their head straight till the final whistle.
