Santosh Trophy: Goa keen to make the final cut

Panaji: These are difficult days for Indian football with no sign of the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) kicking off anytime soon. There is no word on the I-League either. Players, coaches, support staff, and even the fans, are all anxious.But in time of such negativity, the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy provides some respite. Although players from the top two divisions of Indian football cannot take part in the tournament, it gives others a chance to believe and keep going.The Goa men’s football team will not be short of motivation as they kickstart their campaign in the group stages in Bengaluru on Saturday.With a new, young head coach, and at least nine players making their debut, the five-time champions will start as underdogs, eager to end the wait for the trophy they last won in 2009.

They have two big problems to tackle as they are grouped with two former champions: Services, who they play first on Saturday, and Karnataka (Dec 24).“We are here not just to participate but win the tournament,” Goa coach Keenan Almeida told TOI. “Yes, expectations are obviously high, and we have been putting in the hard work to achieve glory.”The final stage will take place in Assam in Jan next year. A total of 35 teams are in fray across nine groups. Eight groups of four teams each and one with three.

Only the group winners will join hosts Assam in the final stage, along with defending champions Bengal and runnerup Kerala.Goa has no time for slip ups. One wrong move can put them out of contention.For this edition, the Goa Football Association (GFA) kept faith in young Keenan. The former international is building on his coaching profile and has proved himself at club level. After finishing third on debut last season, Keenan has now taken Clube de Salgaocar six points clear at the top of the Goa Professional League (GPL).“We are placed in one of the toughest groups. Having said that, it's a great opportunity to prove ourselves. We will be treating every match as a final. The team is geared up for these challenges,” said Keenan. The former FC Goa defender has given nine players a chance to make their debut in the Santosh Trophy. They include Crysler Afonso, Pratik Naik, Tippanna Bhavikatti, Denil Rebello, Reezvon Fernandes, Arnold Oliveira, Ariston Costa, Salgeo Dias and Sankalp Kankonkar.“The attitude of the boys is top notch. I am happy with how the team is shaping within the span of time that we have been together. The hunger can be seen during every training session. Now it is about going there and performing to the best of our ability and getting the results,” said Keenan.Goa will rely heavily on the experience of veteran Joseph Clemente who has been an integral part of the defence. Stendly Fernandes and Shridharanath Gawas will hold key roles in midfield. Arnold Oliviera, Lloyd Cardozo and Joshua D'Silva provides Keenan with healthy options in attack.Services are here to make amends after being knocked out in the semifinals last year by Bengal. Karnataka failed to make it to the final round last year, after winning the title in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Everyone has a point to prove.FIXTURES