Panaji
After a catastrophic last season with the pre-season no worse than the eventual campaign itself, the gaurs were found licking their wounds with the ignominy of being the wooden spoon holders. As the build-up to another season approaches, the onus is on the FC Goa owners and management to restore the credibility and pride of a side and transform them into a force to reckon with in ISL 4.
It was evident that when the season began last year, the move to continue with experience of their stalwarts was not a prudent one.
The towering presence of Gregory Arnolin and Lucio in the citadel was irregular, given form and fitness as reasons.
As a result, the once-resolute defense was able to be breached more often than not which mirrored on the end results.
To plug in the loopholes, FC Goa has breathed in life well-ahead of their campaign to ISL 4 by recalling mercurial Portuguese player, Bruno Pinheiro as their first international signing on social media recently.
While Bruno Pinheiro was not in the starting XI initially with FC Goa in ISL 1, he made his presence count on field when opportunity came his way.
Adaptability being his forte, he could hold his own in defense as also play upfront as a withdrawn midfielder thereby endearing himself to being one of the crowd favourites.
He was introduced to the teething ISL fold by his agent, ProEleven after plying his trade with Niki Volas FC, the champion side in the Greek Football League in 2014 where he capped 20 appearances. While ISL teams tried to get hold of his services the following season, the former junior Portugal international chose to play in Greece in lieu with Apollon Smyrni FC.
Meanwhile, he moved to Israel to play in the League there in 2015 Hapoel Haifa FC and to date has had 55 appearances with the Club. In between, he did return to ISL last year, and the team fortuitous to get him into their stable were the stallions from Pune.
A few months on from ISL 2, this roving sports reporter had caught up with the former Portugal junior international on social media.
On being asked why he did not return to FC Goa for the second season after a promising debut in the inaugural year, he had this to say.
“I receive offer from FC Goa every year, but until I finish my contract here (Hapoel Haifa, Israel) I cannot go elsewhere. But it is my will that I would be in FC Goa for a long time now.”
He further stated that in the previous year (2015) as well in 2016, he received proposals from different ISL teams but due to the contract he had with the club in Israel he could not consider. But as was later apparent, the moment he was available for the last season, he was snapped up by FC Pune City with a consequential turnaround to the side for the better.
Also asked how he would compare the leagues in Greece and Israel to the ISL, he had this to say.
“It is not fair to compare a league that exists for three years to any other that exists for three decades. India is developing in football and will have an amazing future if people are really passionate about the sport,” the charismatic footballer affirmed.
Back in March last year, when asked on his impressions on ISL, he gushed that it was so good that he was really excited to come back. And that he eventually did and made an impact with his new franchise, his ardent fans will hope he will replicate the same magic with the Gaurs from where he made the football aficionados in the country sit up and admire his football skills.
On a lighter note, in reply to Pinheiro’s post on social media on wanting to learn basic Hindi in three days, his fans in Goa felt he should rather learn the mother tongue of the region he would be plying his trade for.
