MARGAO
Goa will face Delhi in a crucial do-or-die encounter in the final round of Group B at the 78th Santosh Trophy National Football Championship at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Both teams will be aiming for a win to secure their spot in the Round of 16. A victory will guarantee Delhi a place in the quarterfinals, while Goa, with three points from one win and three losses, will need a win to keep their hopes alive for a quarterfinal berth. Delhi currently have 6 points from as many matches.
Goa's head coach, Mateus Costa, spoke to The Goan Everyday and emphasized his team's readiness for the decisive match. “This is our last chance in the group stage, and we’re going all out for the win. We know Delhi are above us in the standings, so our goal is to take all three points,” Costa said.
He added, “The team is fully prepared, and we aim to showcase our best performance to secure a place in the quarterfinals. This is our only opportunity, and we will play with our last remaining hope to reach the Round of 16. We will focus on the small details to ensure victory.”
Costa also mentioned that his team won’t be underestimating Delhi. “Our match against Delhi is extremely important. They are an organized team, and I’ve been impressed by their performance. We’ll have to be at our best to compete in this tournament,” he said.
Despite some challenges due to injuries and the absence of certain players, Costa assured that the team is ready. “Our preparation has been good, and we’re focused on the task ahead,” he said.
“We play as one unit, committed to the coaching staff’s instructions, and our goal is to go as far as possible in the competition. Every striker wants to score and secure three points in every match, but every player shares the same ambition of achieving maximum points.”
