MARGAO
Goan football stalwarts and the fans alike were left crestfallen after Goa's humbling early exit from the Santosh Trophy national football championship after they suffered a shock defeat at the hands of hosts Gujarat in the west zone qualifiers.
The five-time champions failed to make it to the quarterfinals of the league after a 0-1 loss to a spirited Gujarat side. The shock result has sparked an outcry among the State's footballing fraternity.
Prakash Dessai, an executive member of the Goa Football Association (GFA), claimed that the organisation is being run by two to three people, and not functioning as a unit.
"The GFA kept the administration in the dark and it is run by two to three people. One administrator is the culprit behind the downfall of football in Goa as all the decisions are taken by him," he said.
Elvis Gomes, the former president, also expressed his dismay, "I cannot imagine a worse time for Goan football. For the first time, Goa has failed to make it to the Santosh Trophy Zonal Final," he said. He further went on to take a dig at Sports Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar. "For the Sports Minister, the show must go on even if it is a flop. The sport is in a crisis," said Gomes. "The member clubs of GFA must wake up to what the GFA is doing these days. There is an allegation that GFA committee itself was in the dark about player selection," said Gomes.
Meanwhile, former India coach Armando Colaco also had a grim response. "Anything can happen in football... sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Our boys must have been casual with their approach, Gujarat is a weak team and they paid their price, nothing can be done now but it's very shocking that we have been eliminated from the qualifiers," he said.
Another former coach and State player also expressed his concerns. "It is very sad and the reflection of the level of our Goa Professional League. Our Goan coaches are not adapting to the modern trends of football and are not conducting match related training," said Caitano Pinho.
Another coach, Alfred Fernandes, chipped in with his view. "I am very sad about the premature exit of Goa from the championship and everybody is shell-shocked in the State," said the former Santosh Trophy team coach.
Meanwhile, former India midfielder Alvito D'Cunha said, "Shocking to hear about Goa's shocking defeat and exit from the championship. It is sad that Goa crashed out of the championship the worst part is that the Gujarat players never hogged the limelight in the national and international arena. As a former state player, I am ready to help state football. The exit from the championship brought shame on the state."
However, Alvito pointed out that all is not lost after Goa's exit and the GFA should begin the "planning to groom players" for the championship. "It's time to look at the future. You should start planning right away. It's not that since the Santosh Championship is over, the Goan team's entire football season is too. Go and plan," Alvito concluded.
