Panjim Footballers: New season, same old goals

Panaji: Good fruits are sometimes best ripened by staying on the tree a little longer. Nobody knows this better than

Sporting Clube de Goa

, and that’s one reason why several of their junior players, or those who are part of the reserves, are allowed to move over to ‘neighbouring’

Panjim Footballers

, grow up and then return home.

Last season, when Panjim Footballers made their debut in the

Goa Pro League

and finished a lowly ninth, not many eyebrows were raised. The club did manage to achieve its goal, of readying players for bigger clubs, and Sporting’s decision to sign seven of their players was proof that coach Savio Vaz had got some things right.

“It’s difficult for us to start building a new team each season but our aim is to produce players. That’s what we did last year, and that remains our goal this year too. Of course, it will be nice to finish a bit higher. We are targeting a place among the top five,” said Vaz, who was with Sporting Clube juniors for four years before being transplanted to Panjim Footballers.

Panjim Footballers surprised many by their decision to sign foreign players last season. They were among the few teams to enjoy that luxury with the inclusion of Egyptian midfielder Fady Riad and Alphonse Shako from Congo. Both are unlikely to return to the club, and Vaz will have to launch a challenge with players of their own.

“I want my team to play good

football

. I want them to gain the necessary experience of playing in the top-tier. They know there are rewards for a good performance. The big teams are all watching us play, and should anyone impress, they can move up,” said Vaz, who has coached teams like Curtorim Gymkhana, Margao Sports Club and Wilred Leisure in the past.

There are inspiring stories. Clive Miranda and Schubert D’Costa who were with Panjim Footballers last season are now first choice centre-back pairing for Sporting Clube. Akeraj Martins has also moved up the ranks, while Gurpreet Singh and Gautam Dias has also found favour.

This season, Vaz is confident that many more will catch the eye.

For example, players like Dattaraj B, Trijoy Dias and Prasil Kankonkar, all from Sporting juniors, know they need to make a mark and return to where they belong. Others too have similar ambitions.

“Last year we had a young squad, mostly under-20 players, except for a few exceptions and the two foreign players. This year, it will be different, surely,” said Vaz.

The results have been there too. Victories against FC Goa reserves and Calangute Association have been encouraging, while two draws against Sporting suggest Panjim Footballers will be far more competitive than last season.

THE TEAM

Goalkeepers: Sherwin D’Cunha, Adney Fernandes

Defenders: Prasil Kankonkar, Joyson Fernandes, Joel Colaco, Lessar Raikar, Deva, Aaron Antao, Akram Chandan

Midfielders: Rahul, Dattaraj B, Marc Rodrigues, Valmiki Colaco, Patel, Leslie Britto, Trijoy Dias, Alston Camoti, Lakesh, Velton Fernandes

Strikers: Snedden Rodrigues, Cyril Fernandes, Samson Fernandes, Perryson Fernandes