ASD Cape Town soccer school from South Africa, has struck achord with football in Goa. Not directly associated with state footballauthorities though, ASD is casting a trained eye in tapping raw talent in Goaand in the process, could unearth more diamonds like Brandon Fernandes.
Dave Waters, UEFA B-License Coach with ASD Cape Town forU-17s & U-19s, was in Goa recently to ‘check out’ the boys (born in 1996-97). After an amazingpick in June 2010 in the form of Brandon, who is now interesting English clubsover a professional contract, the ASD Cape Town coach sounded upbeat over theregion's ability to produce talented boys.
However, ASD Cape Town has not yet thought over a formaltie-up with Goa Football Association or any of the top football clubs, some ofwhich have a sound youth development programme in the state.
"From the trip here, I have seen that the relationshipshave been very positive. We had also been here two or three years ago; and therelationships with a lot of clubs in general and the Goan F.A. has been good.But there is nothing formally agreed (with anyone) at present," says Dave.
When asked how he assessed the boys and how has heidentified top talents, Dave replied: "I have seen boys from variety oflevels (of football). Watching a boy, usually one or two things will stand out.ASD looks for quick play, good first touch, also the character and how that boyis likely to progress. We really believe that it is more than football abilityon the field, the boy has to be serious about wanting to be a professionalfootballer. He has to have a mindset and to do that, he has to be driven. Weneed to see good respect and teachable players."
In 2010, this was what separated Brandon from theothers," Brandon had this mindset and we could see that (at once), hewanted to be a professional footballer."
Dave praised Brandon's former club Salgaocar FC for doing alot of good work in his early years. "We did not necessarily revolutioniseBrandon's game. We actually just continued to nurture his ability that he hason both feet. We added a bit more crispness to his game. But, lot of creditgoes to his development as a player, the work put into him in youngerage," said Dave on a parting note.
