Goa take on Gujarat in the Santosh Trophy West Zone Qualifying round opener at Nehru stadium, Fatorda today at 4pm
The Goan Network
MARGAO
Goa head coach Alfred Fernandes is relishing the prospects of his team playing in front ot their supporters as Goa will meet Gujarat in the West Zone Qualifying round of National Football Championships for Santosh Trophy at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Tuesday at 4 pm.
For Alfred Fernandes, who is a good reader of the game, is hopeful that Goa will enjoy a home advantage against their visitors from Gujarat.Fernandes is determined to make the most of home comforts.
“We want to take full advantage of the home games. Goa's preparation for the Santosh Trophy is good and I am delighted the team is shaping up well," said Fernandes on match eve. "I do not have the idea about Gujarat side but we will be able to guage them and we are planning to approach the match with a positive mindset of targeting three point,"said Fernandes, who, however will miss the services of goalkeeper Lakmikant Kattimani who is doing the duty for the country in the South Asian Games in Assam.
Tyson Caido is expected to guard the goal.Peter Carvalho will marshall the midfield and inject fludity and finesse in linking up with Bevan D'Mello and Co. The coach promised to gift the fans a win to celebrate the Carnival.
Gujarat coach Tarun Roy has a big test awaiting him and a mountain to climb as they are facing a Herculean task to get the better of Goa who are having fancied players in their rank and enjoy the home advantage. He,however, sounded a word of caution saying: "It's a challenge for us as much as it is for Goa.Football remains the same, all you have to do is put your heart and soul into the job whether at the senior or junior level," Roy signed off.
Meanwhile, former Goa Santosh coach Mauricio Afonso, who was a member of the victorious 1984 Goa squad, has advised the present team to remain deeply focused on each and every match as he observed that other States had raised the standard of play and there was a lot of development in football. He said it's time to look ahead and not rest on the past laurels. On Santosh Trophy, Mauricio said: "It's the most prestigious event and players need to be reminded that it has great historical significance for Goa. We have won it in the past and there is no reason why we can't do it this year."
