MARGAO
Goa coach Keenan Almeida took full responsibility for his team’s disappointing campaign in the 79th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy, held in Bengaluru, saying the blame for the failure lay squarely with him.
Almeida said he had made it clear to the players before the tournament that they would receive the credit for success, while he would shoulder the responsibility in case of failure.
“I had told the players that if the team does well in the Santosh Trophy, the credit will be theirs. And if we fail in the tournament, I will take the blame,” Almeida said. “So, without any excuses, as we have failed in the tournament, I take the blame for the performances.”
The Goa coach, however, backed his players, insisting they gave their best despite the results not going the team’s way.
“The players tried their best. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the results that we wanted,” he added.
Goa’s campaign saw mixed performances across matches. Against Services, a series of costly mistakes within a 10-minute spell proved decisive as Goa conceded four quick goals. In their match against Lakshadweep, Goa created eight to nine clear chances but failed to convert them, eventually settling for a draw despite dominating proceedings.
Their lone bright moment came against hosts Karnataka, where Goa made better use of their opportunities, converting two of five chances. A crucial save by the goalkeeper and a disciplined defensive effort helped the team secure a win.
Despite the early exit, Almeida’s candid assessment and willingness to accept responsibility reflected a strong leadership stance as Goa look to regroup and plan ahead for future competitions.
