MARGAO
After getting their campaign back on track with a win over Arunachal Pradesh in Group III of the 76th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy, Goa coach Norberto Gonsalves insisted on Monday that the State team is on the right track to regain its lost glory in the national football championship as they face Nagaland on Tuesday.
After winning their opener against hosts Assam 1-0, Goa suffered a setback after they conceded twice against Uttar Pradesh but rallied to eke out a 2-2 draw to salvage a point. They bounced back with a 2-1 win over Arunachal Pradesh to reach seven points and stay on the heels of group leaders Nagaland, who have nine points from three wins. Only the six group toppers are guaranteed a spot in the main round along with the three best second-placed teams. Railways and Services will get direct entry along with the hosts.
"Against Uttar Pradesh, we created a number of chances and at least on five occasions, we came close to scoring in the first half. Had we managed to convert two of those chances, things would have been different for us," Gonsalves said. "We have adopted an attacking brand of football from the outset. We decided to keep possession “ in some matches, we had 70 per cent ball possession “ play short passes and have a flowing attacking style."
"This is what football is all about. Barcelona doesn’t play aerial passes to win. They stick to their style and keep the ball on the ground. In the same way, I have my footballing philosophy too and I make sure my teams exhibit that. The team is chosen accordingly," said Gonsalves.
"The match against Nagaland will be exciting. Tomorrow's game will be a royale contest. It's a crucial game for us, and we will consider it as a do-or-die match," Gonsalves remarked. "I have watched the opponents and they are fast and nippy. According to their style, we will adopt a different style to come out victors."
Meanwhile, the State team suffered a blow when their stopper back Daniel Gomes rushed to Goa after the demise of his father, on Monday.
