MARGAO
Goa faces a must-win situation against Odisha in their Group B match of the 78th Santosh Trophy National Football Championship at Deccan Arena, Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday.
After a disappointing start to their campaign, with zero points from their opening match, Goa, the finalists from last year, are determined to bounce back. For the first time in recent history, they were unable to secure a win in their opening match, and they now realize the importance of consistency.
"We are happy with the progress, but at the same time, all players understand the responsibility of maintaining the momentum," said Goa's head coach, Mateus Costa. "Last season is behind us, and we are all focused on reviving Goa’s status with title wins."
Costa is confident that his team will make up for their opening match loss. "We will give our best to come back stronger and rectify the mistakes we made," he added, reflecting on the loss to Kerala.
Despite the defeat, Costa commended the players for their strong performance in the league. "We must continue the good work and focus on securing maximum victories," he emphasized.
Looking ahead to the match against Odisha, Costa acknowledged the challenge. "It will be a very difficult match, but we will do our best to show strength and determination," he said.
Costa concluded by stating that all matches in the championship are tough and that Goa will strive to stay on an upward trajectory and achieve the desired results. "We will maintain our focus and work towards the best outcome," he signed off.
