Sporting Clube’s Alton Vaz dreams of national football experience
PANJIM: Sporting Clube de Goa’s Joesph Clement garnered plenty of admiring glances in the current Goa Professional League season but here it’s his colleague and centre back pairing —Alton Vaz, who could be a defender many of the big clubs would be wanting to sign.
At 24, Alton Vaz could be described as talented and gifted centre back, yet humble and hardworking. Though quite young and being in his formative years, the young Assolda lad has defied all odds playing best football in the Goa Professional League.
“Definitely. This season has been better than my previous season as I can personally say that I have improved a lot after gaining maximum games at the club,” stated Alton Vaz, who also played almost equal number of games last season for the Flaming Oranje.
Alton is explosive, aggressive and an expert in wrestling the ball away from the opponents’ strike forces. He is strong in one-on battles and equally strong in the air. The youngster is comfortable to adapt as right back or as a midfielder.
He formed a blossoming partnership with team mate and Goa Santosh Trophy main centre back— Joesph Clemente, likely to see them clinch the Goa Professional League as they are currently sitting at the top of the league table and two wins in the final two games will ensure them the silverware.
“He (Joseph Clemente) is helping me a lot on and off the pitch. He always commentates with me on the field and that makes us very strong at the back. Yes, there are times I get tempted to go forward or at times, I make some errors, but Joseph knows how to correct me and he has been assisting me a lot. This has also helped me to be a good defender though I am still growing,” explained Alton.
Well the numbers don’t lie. Out of their 20 matches played in the Goa Professional League, The Flaming Oranje maintained 12 clean sheets and have conceded the least number of goals (10 goals).
The youngster has started 19 times in their last 20 matches and missing one game due to an entrance examination in the month of December as the defender who is MCom post graduate believes education is a must too for a player. He has a goal and an assist to his name too.
Like many other youngster, Alton Vaz, while playing for his village team, was too spotted by their former youth coach Joaquim Crasto, who is a prominent scout in Goa. Alton first played for Panjim Footballers under Savio Vaz, under whom he groomed as a player, and was soon graduated to the senior team where he played under Matheu Costa before being reunited with his former coach Savio Vaz in 2018-19 campaign during the final three games of the season.
“Alton has much more calibre than we he played this season. He is has a good reach and is brilliant in winning the ball and also in the aerial duels. I personally feel the boy can step up and play in bigger leagues and if he gets an experienced pair like Joseph alongside he can give his best,” stated Sporting Clube de Goa coach Savio Vaz, who stated that Alton’s winning mentality and his 100 per cent during the matches makes him one of the strong upcoming defenders in the State.
Well like any other footballers, Alton also has a similar goal, “to play in Indian Super League and someday represent the country.” However, the journey for Indian centre back isn’t so easy as compared to any other positions considering the Indian football system wherein the core of the team is fielded with the foreign players (centre-backs, central midfielders and striker) but Alton is at the right club, which has contributed many players at the top level and his time will sure come soon.
