RAIA: Sporting Clube de Goa simply like to fight against the odds. When hardly anyone gave them a chance, The Flaming Oranje punched above their weight to clinch the Third Division I-League.
Now, Sporting start afresh, once again, in the Second Division I-League when they take on Sudeva Delhi FC on Sunday, at Tilak Maidan, Vasco.
“Everybody criticised us when we played the same team, but then the boys fought well and worked hard together to do well in the (Goa) league as well as Third Division. Everybody knows the fight that we gave and how we came up in the Third Division to become champions,” said Sporting Clube head coach Armando Colaco, who guided Dempo SC to five national titles.
The Second Division has eight teams and will be held on a home-and-away basis in a double round-robin format. Sporting Clube, Dempo SC and Sporting Club Bengaluru gained promotion from the Third Division.
On the other hand, Sudeva Delhi and Mumbai Kenkre FC were relegated from the I-League last season. FC Bengaluru United, Oranje FC and United SC are the other three teams.
Only top two teams will earn promotion to the 2024-25 I-League and the bottom two will be relegated to the 2024-25 I-League Third Division.
Sporting Clube are currently on top of the Goa Professional League standing and have managed to balance the workload between the state and national leagues successfully.
“We are on top of the Goa Professional League and the team is determined to carry on the good work we did in the Third Division,” said Armando, the former India coach.
Sporting Clube have a few additions ahead of the new challenge. Mark Carvalho has joined from Bangalore United, Shelton Nickson from Kickstart FC. Alister Anthony also moved from Kickstart FC and it will be his second stint with Sporting Clube, having played in the youth set up seven years ago.
Talented goalkeeper Antonio Dylan Da Silva is on loan from Dempo SC while Klusner Pereira’s transfer formalities are in progress from Inter Kashi FC.
Former internationals Adil Khan, Joyner Lourenco and Marcus Mascarenhas have put their experience to good use as they have helped younger players to boost their confidence.
“Boys put in a great effort and we have sticked together till the last game to become Third Division champions. We have a good coaching staff, management. All want us to qualify for the I-League and we are ready,” said Adil.
