MAPUSA: Defending champions Churchill Brothers SC face a new challenge as they are set to defend the Goa Professional League which commences next week.
The Red Machines main squad is plying their trade in I-League in Kolkata, which makes it impossible to have their best players available to play in the domestic league.
However, the club president Churchill Alemao is certainly not the man who would ever take football for granted. Knowing the consequences of fielding two teams would burn a hole in his pocket, he didn’t compromise even a bit.
Rather he chose to assemble some of the strong players and signed them for the club at the right price, thus forming a team capable of defending the title in the Goa Professional League.
The eight-time champs would probably be like a development/ reserve side of their main team, and their philosophy of attacking football will be followed by the Pro League side.
Coach Norbert Gonsalves has been entrusted with the task of retaining the crown, having been provided with some of the finest players in the State.
“Many players have left the team for better prospects but we have signed many new players. We have Velito D’Cruz, Wassim Sheikh and many more. Since this is a completely new squad, it’s a whole new task to rebuild the team and get the boys to develop an understanding among each other,” stated Norbert.
The coach further added “So far, the boys have responded to a great extent and I am hoping to see them showcase their skills as a team on field. Special mention to my coaching staff for always being supportive and lending a helping hand whenever needed.”
Churchill Brothers have retained two Under20 players – Preston Fernandes and Lendan Mendonca and two seniors – Mauvin Borges and Darren Peixoto with remaining players new to the system.
However, Coach Norbert is the right man at the task to get the things done for the club. He played for almost the top elite teams of Goa and ended his playing career after donning the colours for Salgaocar FA for thirteen long years as stopper back. He then took the coaching assignment for the past 25 years.
“I am extremely happy with the way the management has been motivating this young squad and time and again assuring that they have got our backs. All said and done, I am positive that this squad is going to give a tough fight to other teams, where defending the title is always going to be our top priority” concluded Gonsalves.
The Churchill Brothers strike force includes some known names in Goan circuit. Clinton Niasso and James Fernandes will feature upfront while former Sporting Clube de Goa player Trijoy Dias has also been signed by the club and is likely to mark his return to football after missing out football for last season following his suspension for allegedly hitting the referee during the U-20 Taca Goa final match against FC Goa.
The Red Machines will look to replicate their last season’s form as they head into the 2020-21 season with a mindset to retain the Goa Professional League title.