MARGAO
Churchill Brothers boss Valanka Alemao is confident that the Red Machines will be one of the contenders for the I-League title this year, after narrowly missing out on the title last season.
"We are better prepared this time with adequate time available for the selection of the players and the head coach. We have had a rigorous fitness regimen and all are fit and looking forward to the tough journey ahead," the Churchill Brothers CEO said in a media conference on Wednesday.
"We fielded some players in the GFA Professional League matches but the real test was in the friendly matches against the Indian Super League clubs which gave us a fairly good indication about the overall functioning and cohesiveness, besides allowing us to plug the loopholes. It was a good exposure with plenty of learning lessons."
Valanka feels that this season, the Red machines will be a transformed side. "I am confident that the boys will perform to their best. We believe we can reach the top and accomplish our goal as that's the belief of the players and officials. Last year, luck did not smile on us as we finished joint-top but were pipped by Gokulam Kerala on goal difference," she said.
Interestingly, Churchill will clash with Gokulam Kerala in their opening match on December 26. "The first match against Gokulam Kerala is tricky as always but we will go for the three points," the CEO said.
Goa's only representative in the league, the Varca-based club has undergone three-month rigorous training to launch their challenge in the national tournament under head coach Petre Gigiu from Romania.
"The team has undergone a major revamp with the inclusion of four foreigners of valuable standing and our talented local boys blessed with plenty of exposure and grit. There is a new strategy adopted by the new coach Gigiu, who has been working with the boys for nearly three months now. He is a taskmaster who never misses even the finest of details with his methodical and rigorous approach, always stressing on teamwork, coordination, concentration and understanding," the club boss said.
Midfielder Richard Costa has been named as the captain of the team. Speaking at the media conference, Gigiu said, "I am very happy with the composition of the team and the boys have worked hard during the training sessions. This is my second season in India and it has already been a very special one. We have a bunch of boys, both Indian and foreigners, suited to the club's style of play."
