CHARLES D’SOUZA
MARGAO
The Goa boys football squad oozed confidence as the team departed for Arunachal Pradesh to compete at the Sub Junior Football Championships to be held at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Nahariagun, from December 2 to 15.
Goa have been clubbed in Group B along with Telangna, Mizoram, Jharkhand and Haryana. The team led by Slevin D’Mello will open their campaign against Mizoram on December 2, before taking on Telangana (December 5), Jharkhand (December 7) and Haryana (December 11).
“We have a good team and I am confident the lads will perform well in the tournament,” remarked Ajay Acharya, head coach of the State team.
“The boys were subjected to an 11-day training camp during which they worked upon an array of tactical aspects. We have worked on all aspects of our game; it was about fitness and physical training to begin with and we also concentrated on our tactical and technical abilities,” revealed the head coach, who works for Sesa Football
Academy.
“It’s adds to the competitive spirit as there’s an added pressure to perform outside the State. We have had three practice matches and the team has been showing improvement steadily. Hopefully we will showcase our best football in Arunachal Pradesh,” Acharya signed off.
Goa squad
Tahir Shaikh, Arnold Olveira, Anish Gadar, Slevin D’Mello, Harishit Upadhya, Aryan Salumke, Syron Bernard, Tukaram Gad, Ian Fernandes, Rohan Gaonkar, Mistle Cardozo, Velon Rebello, Backdom Brganza, Bindusri Chauhan, Adriel Rodrigues, Rui Noronha, Sahil Inamdar, Dawynk Nerto and Myron Hilario; Officials: Head coach - Ajay Achaya (Sesa Football Academy), Assistant coach - Joaquim Fernandes (GFDC), Manager - Cosme Olveira (MPT).
