Football is big in Goa. So is Goa in Indian football. The State has over the years produced some of the best players that have represented India at the international level. Goa has seen its days of glory and its teams have done exceedingly well in club and inter-State tournaments. But recent years have seen a steady decline in the fortunes of the teams that have represented Goa. Barring the breakthrough season for FC Goa in 2015, where they agonisingly fell short in the final against Chennaiyin FC, Goa has been relegated from being a powerhouse to a fringe contender in Indian football.
The pullout of Dempo, Salgaocar, and Sporting Clube de Goa from the I-League has left only one representative -- Churchill Brothers -- from the State in the Indian top-flight. The former champions, though as gritty and resourceful they may be, were in a fight to avoid the wooden spoon throughout this season and now are set for a scrum for a mid-table finish. The situation means that the Goan fans have been involuntarily detached from the Indian football mainstream. An unusual scenario for Goan football.
But as the State hosted the 71st Santosh Trophy National Football championship that concluded on Sunday, it was a welcome change for the top-flight football-starved Goan fans. However it ended in another heartbreak for Goa as they were beaten by a superior Bengal team in the extra time of the finals. But their run to the final, where they beat title favourites Kerala in the semi-finals, shows that the State is still a heavyweight in Indian football. The only issue is that the trophies are not coming.
On the other hand, Bengal were crowned champions for a 32nd time as they ended a six-year title wait. Goa has five titles and their last title win came in 2008-09. It’s their eighth runners-up finish. However, for once, neither Bengal or Goa were the title favourites. Both teams had a relatively young squad with no big names. That they made to the final was a great feat in itself.
The response of the Goan public to the tournament has been encouraging. Though the football was not of the highest quality, the tournament was an important exercise as the State prepares for the 2017 U-17 FIFA World Cup. Another chance has been lost on the field, but another awaits Goa and its fans as the State prepares to host the marquee event next year.
