It was a wonderful football match yesterday between Goa and Kolkatta and the proceedings of same displayed there were vast improvement in Indian soccer, thanks to the induction of some non-Indian oldies who are past of their prime though still going strong. Their presence in this tournament in fact in reality changed the standard of Indian soccer and also the mindset of the spectators and viewers who are glued to their TV sets watching the games of their favourites. Besides the involvement and presence in the Stadia of the celebrities namely Bollywood Stars, Cricketers and the Business Magnates gave a strong booster for this tournament to further the promotion of Indian soccer. The first step taken this season by the organizers will surely pave the way for the better days ahead for Indian soccer which will definitely improve vastly.
For better results the teams in the next season must make extra efforts to rope in some of the top footballers from Europe and South America even by spending some extra money if there is benefit for the improvement of Indian soccer standard and I am sure there is going to be benefit. If necessary, FIFA’s assistance should be sought to help recruit top world class players on loan basis for a short period to make the sleeping giant awake in soccer.
Zico is not a God to change things for Goa team within a very short time even though he changed the standard of Goa team a lot as seen from the level of the game yesterday played by the Goans. They had more possession of the ball, they had better control of the ball, their passing was more accurate thru the available gaps, their feinting techniques were vastly superior, their ball control was better and their stamina was enormous. They had everything in their favour to win this encounter except luck just as Zico’s Brazil team of 1982 World Cup trained by that genius coach Tele Santana had everything in their favour except luck otherwise the Italian team trained by Enzo Bearzot and dominated by the newly resurrected Paolo Rossi would never win that crucial encounter against the mighty Brazil when the great white Pele played an heroic role. If it was not for the two missed chances in the second half, yesterday Goa would surely get the maximum points.
The Goan team was also unlucky for not getting a Red Card to Fikru when he clearly head butted Goan defender. If the American Referee was a bit strict he would have shown Red Card to Fikru and Kolkatta would be in a weaker position thereby Goa getting into better position to win this match. All the three goals scored by Santos of Goa and Cavin of Kolkatta were excellent deserving highest accolades. However, the second goal scored by the Goan boy from Cancona for Kolkotta against his motherland Goa was more beautiful. Cavin a rejected stone by his team for earlier matches finally turned out to be the cornerstone in yesterday match. No doubt spirited Goan team lost the match but standard of Indian soccer won a lot.
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.