MARGAO
Goa coach Gavin Araujo is confident in his squad’s capabilities as they gear up for the AIFF Khelo India Beach Games 2025 (Men’s Beach Soccer Competition), set to be held in Diu from May 24 to 29.
Despite limited preparation time, Araujo expressed satisfaction with the commitment and determination displayed by his players. “We’re expecting something special from this group,” he said. “Their attitude and effort in training have been commendable.”
The team underwent a brief training camp and played a few preparatory matches. Four players in the squad have previously represented India, while one had to withdraw due to personal commitments.
“We’ve been working hard to build a cohesive unit that plays an attractive, attacking style of football. That doesn’t happen overnight,” Araujo explained. “Players need match experience to anticipate each other’s movements and function seamlessly as a team.”
Goa hasn’t had the chance to play any international beach soccer friendlies, but that hasn’t dampened the coach’s optimism. “We’ve focused heavily on physical conditioning, mental resilience, and tactical planning,” he said. “India is still growing in beach soccer, and we’re up against experienced teams like defending champions Kerala.”
Araujo emphasized the importance of being well-prepared. “We’ve studied our opponents, especially Kerala, to understand their playing style. Our focus has been on tightening our defense, improving transition play, and refining our set-piece execution.”
He sees the tournament not just as a competition but also as a learning opportunity. “This tournament will be a valuable experience for us. It’s about growth and long-term development,” he added.
Coach Araujo is being assisted by Presley Pereira in guiding the team.
