the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goa girl’s football squad oozed with confidence on the eve of the Jharkhand match in the the Junior Girl’s National Football Championship to be played at Holy Trinity Ground, Benaulim.
Hosts Goa have been clubbed in Group F along with Jharkhand and Chandigarh. Four Goan internationals - Karishma Shirvoikar, Ashika Gadekar, Somaaya Mukundan and Sushmita Jadhav have found a place in the squad.
The team led by striker Karishma Shirvoikar will open their campaign against Jharkhand on August 21 and finish their group engagements against Chandigarh on August 24. “We have a good team and I am confident the team will perform well,” remarked Remy Colaco, Goa’s head coach.
The former Salgaocar midfielder while praising his team, cautioned that this year the competition will be very tough. Riding on success from their three practice matches, Colaco did not hide the fact that the team has been showing excellent consistency.
Colaco is confident his side can continue their good form into the tournament. “Hopefully we will play to the best of our abilities. Our objective for the competition is to qualify for the quarter-finals and to do our best in the competition,” he stated.
Goa will depend heavily on their goal-scoring machines -- Karishma Shirvoikar and Sommaiya Mukundan, who has been named vice captain of the team.
Meanwhile, Goa ace striker, Karishma Shirvoikar who will lead the State team feels that captaincy has not brought any added pressure on her.
“Responsibility changes a bit as captain, but I am looking forward it,” Shirvoikar said .
“No pressure to be honest. I see it as an opportunity. I really believe we can win the championship this year. The fact that we haven’t won it, doesn’t add any more pressure. It ‘s a great opportunity for the lasses to step up,” she added.
“I am looking forward to the first game. We will take it from there. See how it goes.There are going to be challenges, ups and downs,” she further stated.
Shirvoikar was in an upbeat mood ahead of the championship.”We are looking forward to it. The ambience is great. I just hope that a lot of people come and support us. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. It ‘s always an honour to play for your State. I am focussed on winning the title,” she signed off.
squad
Goalkeepers: Ashika Gadekar, Pooja
Defenders: Flavina Rodrigues, Disha Kumar, Khusboo S, Rhea Pires , Liefa Carvalho ,Swarangi Reddy
Midfielders: Sushmita Jadhav ,Rizella Almeida ,Tercy Pinto, Joizima Fernandes ,Beverly Cardozo , Akshita Patil, Jolinda Ferrao, Arpita Pednekar
Strikers: Karishma Shirvoikar, Somaiyaa Mukundan, Chalsea Crasto, Namita Gaonkar
Head Coach: Remy Colaco
Assitant Coach: Savio Vaz
Manager: Magret
