the goan I network
PANAJI
There was outpouring of grief in the football fraternity after passing away of former footballer Arthur Pereira in Mumbai on Monday. Pereira, 70, was fighting a battle against cancer for the past one year. He was kept on ventilator support and died Monday morning at a private hospital in suburban Borivili. He is survived by wife and two daughters.
Born on December 27, 1948 in Aldona, Pereira was first spotted by Merces Sports Club while playing for his village team and then went on to play for Merces from 1965-67. He then went to Bombay (Mumbai) where he joined Brittanica Biscuits and played for them for
a season.
He had the knack for scoring tremendous goals with his left foot which was lethal to the opponents. He then joined Kores India Ltd in 1970. He continued with his prowess of scoring priceless goals for Kores. He was famous for his sudden D shots in the penalty area wherein he gave the opponents’ goalkeeper a harrowing time. Kores India won the title with Pereira playing a
pivotal role.
He then moved to the famed Orkay Mills. He was a goal-machine for Orkay winning many trophies for his team. Those who saw him play for the club will always remember him for a good eye on betting goals at will. He went on to represent Maharashtra in the national championships for the Santosh Trophy from 1971
to 1976.
At his peak, in 1971, he toured toured Russia as a striker with the Indian team in 1971. It was at this point, he called curtains on playing time with Orkay Mills. After hanging his boots, Pereira became a physical education teacher at St Joseph’s School in suburban Malad. He even coached the U-16 boys under Bipin Memorial association and Siddarth
College.
