SANTOSH TROPHY
The pursuit to bring back santosh (joy) to the State continues! After winning the crown five times, Goa eye their sixth title as they begin their campaign in the West Zone Qualifiers which will be held in the State from September 22 to 30.
The expectations get intense and hopes higher with each passing year as the wait builds up to regain the glory back to the land of fish, feni and fun. Goa last won the title in the year 2008-09. They almost did it in 2016-17 but lost in the final against West Bengal. However, this time coach Anthony Levino Pereira is keen on winning the west zone and qualify for the final round and win the crown.
“When we think of Santosh Trophy, there is nothing besides winning the title. We have won it five times but that’s long back. This time I want to win it. Looking at the squad I feel we have a good chance this time,” explained Goa team head coach Anthony Levino Pereira who is being assisted by Severino Fernandes.
On football terms, the team has depth of quality to rivals that of its stored predecessors and there is a genuine hope that the State could possibly, with ease, walk as the West Zone leaders, and then could repeat their earlier feat of winning the crown!
“It’s a young group but we have some important senior players to add the required strength and expertise. I personally feel the mood in the camp is good and it’s in right balance,” added Pereira.
“We had a fair selection process and I am grateful to the State association for giving me a chance to invite players for the trials and also for the clubs in coordinating well and releasing their players for the camp. This is the best 20 I could gather, and for me all 20 are the star players,” expressed Pereira.
Anthony Levino Pereira was earlier assistant coach for the State Santosh Trophy team in the year 2013-14 when Vishwas Gaonkar was the head coach and the former believes the current squad is much stronger as compared to the 2013-14 squad which bowed out in the semi-finals.
“I will keep in mind that whatever I have done at club level, I will try and do even better for the State,” added Pereira.
Goa has been clubbed along with Rajasthan, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh. Goa will take on Rajasthan on September 23, Madhya Pradesh on September 25 and Dadra and Nagar Haveli on September 27.
Mathew
Remains to be the squad’s senior most player at the age of 42.The defender was a mainstay in Dempo SC’s back line and was instrumental in leading the side to second position in GPL.
Joaquim
Has taken his things up to another level in last two seasons! the man has regained his goalscoring form in last two seasons in the State and it’s hard to think of any attacker better than him
CHAITAN
Another talent in the making. Chaitan has the ability to crack teams apart with his pace and dribbling. Chaitan scored great goals too for Salgaocar FC and the State in the past
STENDLY
The Sporting Clube de Goa academy product who had been promoted to senior team last year has grown to a man in football terms. The shy lad —with his blistering pace and unexpected runs upfront used to torment the rival back line
The young and experienced!
Pereira boasts of a perfect blend and a balanced squad. The team features some big names while few unheralded too. However, Dempo SC’s Mathew Gonsalves remains to be the squad’s senior most player at the age of 42.
The defender was a mainstay in Dempo SC’s back line and was instrumental in leading the side to second position in GPL. Mathew has been growing better and better with his age and is a perfect role model for the teammates and the younger generation in the team.
Mathew’s experience will be added advantage to this squad as the defender showed no signs of fatigue or dip in performance despite being in 40s.
