Goa's Football Dream Comes True

by CEDRIC SILVEIRA
Posted on 2009-06-16
Defeating Bengal in football at the Santosh Trophy has always been Goa’s dream. For six times, since 1978, they have played Bengal in the finals and only once they managed to hold them to a draw. That was way back in 1984.
However, of late, Goan football teams have excelled in the I-league and in this year’s edition, Goa’s Churchill Brothers were the proud winners. Thus, proving the football base has shifted to Goa.
What remained was a victory at the Santosh Trophy to add credence to this fact. And by beating Bengal in the finals they did just that, and that too in the golden jubilee year of GFA celebrations.
However, two people were largely responsible and stood out in this victory. One was Felix D’Souza, Goa’s goalkeeper and captain, as not only did he not allow a goal inside his net throughout the tournament, but also gave the team the much needed confidence in facing their opponents, and the other was the coach Mariano Dias.
Felix D’Souza’s feat was not achieved by any other goalkeeper of Goa since the great Brahmanand’s act in 1984, when Goa won the Trophy by beating Punjab in the finals.
On the other hand , for the affable and composed Mariano Dias, it was his debut as a coach for the Santosh Trophy and although he never won the trophy during his playing days, his inspiration and guiding force was all that the Goan team needed.
Speaking to some of the die hard Goan fans, Mr Ivan Pinto from Parra, was ecstatic on Goa’s victory. He said, “I would watch all the matches on television and wished that I could be out there to support the team. I now hope that the GFA does not forget this remarkable feat and give them their due, monetary wise.”
Mr Angelo Albuquerque, manager, Sporting Cube de Goa, was too happy with the outcome of the finals. Said Mr Albuquerque, “What requires to be specially mentioned is the heroics of Felix who is a senior player of the team, and has come back after sitting on the benches for a long time with injury. The confidence which he exuded was extraordinary.”
Mr Henrique Brito, the manager of the 1st Lusofonia Games which comprised of players like Joaquim Abranches and Rowilson Rodrigues in the football team, was all praise for the way these players have blossomed into fantastic players over the years.
Yet, one hopes that these heroics of the Goan team are not forgotten soon, and the focus will not once again shift to cricket.
Goa has a long standing history of football, and it is a shame to see how cricket has overtaken it over the years. The fault largely lies with the media, who continue to give coverage to cricket. It was like a silver lining however to witness two channels covering the Santosh finals.
Hopefully, the coverage will increase in the days to come. In the meantime , kudos and viva to the Goan team.