However, head coach Severino Fernandes knows his side will have to start afresh this season when they kick-off their campaign against Calangute Association, at Duler Stadium, here, at 4 p.m.
Skipper Marcus Mascarenhas, Marcus Fernandes, Balwinder Singh and custodian Ram Sroop are the only survivors from last season’s squad as most of the players caught the eye of big clubs.
Coach Severino, who had guided the Sporting Clube de Goa’s Under-19 team to the I-League title has gone to the drawing board again this time in doing what he does best, scouting young talent.
They will heavily depend on Asley Fernandes and former Sesa FA medio Rayman Fernandes to work their magic in midfield. Overall, they have a very young and dynamic squad eager to impress.
On the other hand, Calangute Association, will heavily bank on their fans which were vociferous throughout the last season. The Calangute Panchayat sponsored outfit is coached by former Sesa FA coach Anthony D’Souza, who has shown tremendous faith in youngsters.
Their defence is boosted with the inclusion of Lusofonia gold medallists George D’Souza who will be ably supported by Trevor Dias.
Mario Lobo, Pedro Gonsalves, Valerian Rodrigues, Shubham Malvankar and other will have to fight for a place in the starting eleven for a role in midfield.
Their attacking front looks promising with former Sesa FA strikers Latesh Mandrekar and Yogesh Kadam with also Blake Haldankar ready to pitch in. Felix Chidi Odili, the young Nigerian forward who donned colours for Calangute Association last year is their only foreign recruit this season also.
The tie promises to be exciting as the young teams take to the ground, today.
