Team coached by Mateus D'Costa to leave for MP today
BY CHARLES D'SOUZA
MARGAO
"Our efforts are solely aimed at regaining the prestigious Santosh Trophy which is eluding us for quite some time now. We are working hard and the players are determined to give their best so that Goa gets the much-deserved pride and prestige in football in India," declared the GFA officials, coach and team manager of the Goa team, solemnly on the eve of their departure to Madhya Pradesh, Saturday.
Goa coach Mateus D'Costa agreed that it's not going to be easy for Goa as Madhya Pradesh and Daman and Diu are looking forward to display a better show this time around. "Some of our opponents are known while some are unknown. It's going to be a very tough tournament,"D'Costa told The Goan on Saturday morning. He opined that the squad was a mixture of youth and expereince with four players who had played for the state also forming part of the team now. Some will be donning colours for the state for the first time.
"The boys are putting in their best,they are highly motiviated lot and I am doing my level best to deliver," stated D'Costa.
The Goa coach while asking his players to remain deeply focused on each and every match at a time, observed that states like Madhya Pradesh had raised their standard. "There is lot of development in football there, thus forcing a power house like Goa not to rest on the past laurels but also to raise the standard," he added.
GFA president Elvis Gomes emphazied that Goa could not lose sight of Santosh Trophy. "It is the most presitigious event and players need to be reminded that it has great historical significance for Goa.We have won it in the past and there is no reason why we can't do it in the new year," Gomes added.
"With no I-league players eligible to be fielded as per the AIFF regulatuions, the next best talent on view has been selected with coaching staff doing the very best," remarked manager and GFA executive member Anthony Pango when Goa lost in the semi-finals last year and we would do better this time. "People's expectations are very high on regaining the symbol of supremacy.This year the results will be good," stressed Pango.
ISL Star and Pune City FC midfielder Francis Fernandes has been named the captain of the Goa Santosh Trophy squad, while FC Goa defender Fulgancio Cardozo will be the vice captain.Meanwhile, a the team offered a thanks giving mass at St Joaquim Chapel, Borda. Fr Vincent Fernandes was the main celebrant for the mass. He wished the state team good luck and hoped that the team would return with the coveted trophy.
GOA SQUAD
Francis Fernandes (captain), Fulgencio Cardozo (vice-captain), Agnelo Gomes, Leander D'Cunha,Latesh Madrekar,George D'Souza, Assumption Soares,
Melvin Lobo, Richard Costa, Lenny Perreira, Ponif Vaz, Liston Colaco, PeterCarvalho, Jessel Carneiro,Marcus Mascarenhas,Melroy Fernandes,Fayaz Shaik,Brian Mascarenhas,Aaron D'Silva and Akeraj Martins. Mateus D'Costa (coach); Norbert Gonsalves (asst coach); Sanjeev Nagvekar (Chief de Mission); Anthony Pango (team manager); Joel Savio Quadros (physio).
