SPORTS GOA: GOAN SPORTS FAN'S FAVOURITE!
After going down 1-5 in their opening match to Dempo sports club in the U-20 I-league preliminary round, Churchill Brothers Sports Club managed to fight their way back into contention to finish on six points and qualify in top spot after consecutive wins against Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 and Salgaocar Sports Club 1-0.
“In the first game we were leading 1-0 against Dempo until the last twenty minutes when we conceded five goals. I sat down with the boy’s and told them the mistakes they were making defensively which I am happy we fixed in time,” remarked Churchill manager Willie Moraes.
Willie felt that his young side was playing too many short passes at the back and wanted possession to be controlled in their opponents half instead. He also switched from man to man marking to zonal marking which paid dividends.
Having made special trips to watch his opponents play during the Taca Goa U-20 tournament last month he then sat down with coach Alfred Fernandes and devised strategies to overcome them.
“I am really proud the way my player’s motivated themselves for victory. After defeating Sporting Clube they felt they could go on and win against Salgaocar to top the group, even though a draw would have been sufficient to qualify,” stated Willie.
Last year the age group tournament was held as a U-19 competition, where Churchill represented Goa in the final round after topping the initial round. In Kolkotta they did not do so well, losing all three of their group matches 0-2 to eventual winners JCT, 3-4 to East Bengal and 1-4 to Mumbai football club, but this year are hoping to make a greater impact.
“The tournament last year was played in June during the monsoons on a muddy waterlogged pitch, which made it virtually impossible to string passes together,” reasoned Willie.
Another factor which seriously crippled Churchill’s chances was the new footballs, which they were handed the evening before the first game. “The ball’s they used over there were very bouncy and needed time to get used to,” said Willie.
The same balls were used in this season’s preliminary competition and Willie found that the longer they trained with the balls they slowly got accustomed to them.
The final round is scheduled to take place between the 6-19 May at Kalyani, West Bengal and Willie cannot wait for the tournament to get underway, although he is happy to have nearly three weeks to prepare.
“Last year Severino Fernandes was the coach and he did a brilliant job. Watching him in action, I have become very motivated and I believe this set of boy’s can achieve something special and keep the Churchill Brothers flag flying high,” signed of Willie.
FIRST PUBLISHED IN HERALD ON APRIL 28TH 2012.
After going down 1-5 in their opening match to Dempo sports club in the U-20 I-league preliminary round, Churchill Brothers Sports Club managed to fight their way back into contention to finish on six points and qualify in top spot after consecutive wins against Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 and Salgaocar Sports Club 1-0.
“In the first game we were leading 1-0 against Dempo until the last twenty minutes when we conceded five goals. I sat down with the boy’s and told them the mistakes they were making defensively which I am happy we fixed in time,” remarked Churchill manager Willie Moraes.
Willie felt that his young side was playing too many short passes at the back and wanted possession to be controlled in their opponents half instead. He also switched from man to man marking to zonal marking which paid dividends.
Having made special trips to watch his opponents play during the Taca Goa U-20 tournament last month he then sat down with coach Alfred Fernandes and devised strategies to overcome them.
“I am really proud the way my player’s motivated themselves for victory. After defeating Sporting Clube they felt they could go on and win against Salgaocar to top the group, even though a draw would have been sufficient to qualify,” stated Willie.
Last year the age group tournament was held as a U-19 competition, where Churchill represented Goa in the final round after topping the initial round. In Kolkotta they did not do so well, losing all three of their group matches 0-2 to eventual winners JCT, 3-4 to East Bengal and 1-4 to Mumbai football club, but this year are hoping to make a greater impact.
“The tournament last year was played in June during the monsoons on a muddy waterlogged pitch, which made it virtually impossible to string passes together,” reasoned Willie.
Another factor which seriously crippled Churchill’s chances was the new footballs, which they were handed the evening before the first game. “The ball’s they used over there were very bouncy and needed time to get used to,” said Willie.
The same balls were used in this season’s preliminary competition and Willie found that the longer they trained with the balls they slowly got accustomed to them.
The final round is scheduled to take place between the 6-19 May at Kalyani, West Bengal and Willie cannot wait for the tournament to get underway, although he is happy to have nearly three weeks to prepare.
“Last year Severino Fernandes was the coach and he did a brilliant job. Watching him in action, I have become very motivated and I believe this set of boy’s can achieve something special and keep the Churchill Brothers flag flying high,” signed of Willie.
FIRST PUBLISHED IN HERALD ON APRIL 28TH 2012.
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