MARGAO
On the brink of restoring lost pride, a weary Goa side will look to summon one final push when they face Karnataka in their concluding Group H match of the 79th Santosh Trophy at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday.
Goa’s campaign has been marked by missed opportunities, the physical toll of a demanding schedule, and the lack of finishing touch from their strikers — factors that have weighed heavily on coach Keenan Almeida’s boys. Yet, with qualification still within reach, the team is determined to give everything in their final outing.
Reflecting on Goa’s previous match against Lakshadweep, Almeida admitted that profligacy in front of goal proved costly.
“The last match can be summed up as one of missed chances. We had almost eight clear goal-scoring opportunities but failed to convert them. Our opponents had two chances and scored from one,” he said.
Almeida stressed that the outcome served as a harsh reminder of the importance of capitalising on chances at this level. “If you don’t take your opportunities, you get punished,” he added.
The Goa coach acknowledged the emotional state within the camp, revealing that frustration has crept in. “The mood in the team is one of annoyance and disappointment because we all know we could have done much better,” Almeida said.
Despite the setbacks, Goa will aim to regroup and produce a spirited performance against Karnataka as they seek to close their Santosh Trophy campaign on a positive note.
