The Goa Football Association, on Friday, announced a20-member Kingfisher Goa team for the National Football Championship, amidhopes that they would better their performance of last year and return with thecoveted Santosh Trophy.
The 67th National Football Championship for the SantoshTrophy 2013, kicks off in Cochin, Kerala from February 14. Kingfisher Goa team,which are pooled alongside Chhattisgarh and Haryana in Group D play their firstmatch against the Chhattisgarh on the inaugural day.
The squad led by Jayganesh Goltekar consists of MaclasMorries, Reagan Julius, Melroy Fernandes, Bonny Nisso, Angel Baretto, ValintoD’silva, Wellington Fernandes, Marcos Pexioto, Velito D’cruz, Inacio Colaco,Girish Naik, Marcos Fernandes, Ashley Araujo, Joston Lourenco Perryson Rebello,Joe Rodrigues, Agnel Colaco, Shelton Dias and Jerose Olivera.
Presley Mascarenhas, Melvin Lobo, Valerio Rodrigues andLenny Pereira will constitute the substitute bench, while Anthony De Souza(Coach), Mathew D’Costa (Asst. Coach), Gajanan Kerkar, Babli Mandrekar
(Manager) and Sebastiao A. Noronha (Goal Keeper Coach) willaccompany the team.
Talking about team, Coach Anthony De Souza said, “After afew practice sessions, the players are jelling together as a team and have notlost any practice match. They have won two and drew one match. All players aredetermined and working hard to get into the playing eleven.”
“I am happy that I was given an opportunity to train theboys. Though most of the players are representing Goa for the first time, theirmotivation is good. I will do my best to do Goa proud,” he addedoptimistically.
Elvis Gomes, Executive Director of Sports Authority of Goawhile wishing the team success urged players to give their best. “I am surethat the team will perform well. We are trying to get the trophy which has beeneluding us for quite a few years,” he said.
Vivek B Singh, Jt. Managing Director, Procam International,the promoters of the Kingfisher Goa Professional Football League, alsoexpressed hope that the young Goa team would return victorious from thecampaign in the Santosh Trophy. “Procam International has had a long andfruitful association with football in Goa, which has been possible due to thesupport from the Goa Football Association and the long term vision of sponsorslike Kingfisher,” he added.
