PANAJI
Goa suffered a huge blow following their goalless draw against Nagaland in the Hero 76th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy in Assam.
By virtue of this result, Goa stay on second spot with eight points from four games while Nagaland top the group with 10 points from equal outings.
The table toppers from each of the six groups qualify for the knockouts while the three best second-placed teams from the six groups will also make it to the playoffs.
Goa will now have to win their ultimate group fixture against Tamil Nadu and expect Nagaland to lose against Arunachal Pradesh to finish at the top. If Nagaland draws against AP, Goa will have to beat Tamil Nadu with a margin of three or more goals to finish at the top.
Nagaland and Goa are both unbeaten in the competition.
With two groups (Group 2 and 6) yet to begin their campaign, even if Goa finish on 11 points, will have to wait for the other groups to finish their campaigns.
Knowing how crucial the match was, Goa started on the attacking front and missed early chances through Stendly Fernandes. Later, Jovial Martin saw his effort being saved by the keeper.
Goa continued to attack in the second half and undeniably played the finest attacking football. At the hour mark, Trijoy Dias had the golden opportunity to put Goa ahead when he got a deflected ball in the area, however, with just a keeper in front, he shot wide from close. That should have been a goal for Goa.
In the 71st minute, Goa got another opportunity when they were awarded a free kick outside the box. Shallum Pires stepped over but his shot, which beat the wall, was easily swallowed by the keeper.
CHARLES D'SOUZA
MARGAO: Goa coach Norberto Gonsalves said the draw was a bit disappointing against Nagaland in the Group III League match of the 76th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy in Assam on Tuesday.
"Before the match, I told the boys that we must fulfil our goals with the ability and strength that we have and must possess the desire to learn from our experience. My boys did everything and our opponents stoutly defended the rear guard right from the word go," the former Salgaocar coach said.
Asked what went wrong for them, Gonsalves said: "Nothing. They were superior to us. Collectively we have had a bad day. But if it happens again and again, then we have got to do something about it."
"We did well and had three scoring chances. We did create opportunities," he added.
Gonsalves however chose not to blame strikers for missed opportunities on both sides of the half. "It was disappointing. We had a couple of good opportunities. Overall I am happy with the performance of the boys," Gonsalves said.
Gonsalves also praised his boys who played their hearts out. His passing game and pressing tactics have earned praise from many quarters.
He also feels that the absence of stopper back Daniel Gomes was felt very much in the rear guard against Nagaland. He was rock solid at the back.
Gonsalves will rely on the hopes that the second-best team will qualify for the main draw. With this draw, Nagaland is leading the table with 10 points from 4 matches while Goa has 8 points from the same number of games.
