Papas goes back to Australia to procure visa

PANAJI: Dempo Sports Club will miss the services of Arthur Papas for at least two matches after the Australian coach returned home to procure a visa.
The Australian coach was working with Dempo on his earlier visa -- supported by the All India Football Federation -- and soon realized that his visa was fast running out. He decided to leave for Australia after the clash against Mumbai FC in Pune and will take at least a week to complete the formalities.
Papas has handed the coaching responsibilities to Mauricio Afonso who will call the shots for the team's next match against Rangdajied United in Shillong on Friday and possibly for the crucial Goan derby against Salgaocar Football Club at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa on October 9.
"Mauricio is no greenhorn and will do the job well. We have no doubt about that," said a senior Dempo official.
"Papas is keen to return to Goa for the match against Salgaocar FC and knows just how crucial it will be. But the Australian visa rules need five working days to complete the formalities. It is unlikely that he will make it here on time," said the official.
Dempo are now without a win in two games, having lost to Shillong Lajong 0-3 in the opener at Duler and then drawing against Mumbai FC in Pune. A couple of more disappointing results and Papas could discover, on his return, that the former champions are too far behind.
Mauricio -- who led Goa to a famous Santosh Trophy triumph -- is no stranger to assuming charge of the team. His first big task will come against Rangdajied United, crucially their first ever home game in the I-League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Friday.