INTERNATIONAL GOAN WORLD CUP SOCCER:
Soccer Sowed the
seeds of Goan Unity

A true footballer's love need not surface on the football ground alone. For former footballer and active Goanetter, Olavo Menezes, the internet/email was sufficient to sow the seed of an international Goan soccer tournament on June 9, 1999. The response was quick from Kuwait's Julio Cardozo (Canacona), Raymond Dias (Oman) and Raul Fernandes (Dubai).

The three NRIs volunteered to coordinate the event, which eventually turned out to be a resounding success. Of course, there were a handful of hassles. Like the Goans from the United Kingdom and Canada said they would come. Later they agreed to come only for a week and eventually never turned up, scared by the Y2K problems. Hence, though the tournament was to be held around the Christmas season, when all Goans generally come down to their homeland, the actual scene took place only in mid January 2000, when NRI Goans had already flown back.

But nothing could rob the tournament of the excitement. Nothing could deter the spirit of the Goan teams, majority of whom hailed from the Gulf countries. Roy Barretto, the prolific striker who once shone brilliantly for Salgaocar Bros, flew down from the United States. Unfortunately, there was no US team. Some Goan footballers from France also came down but not in a sufficient number to make up a side.

Goan stalwarts playing for hosts Goa and India revived glorious memories of the past. We watched Bernard Pereira (Aldona) in action for the first time after he left Vasco Club in 1972. Bernard is still bristling with the soccer spirit but age is his sole impediment now. Keeping Bernard company was Tata's aging forward Camilo D'Silva.

A galaxy of former Goan soccer internationals like Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, Camilo Gonsalves, Micdomio Rebello, Oscar Rebello, Bosco, Mahesh Lotlikar, Nicholas Pereira, Norbert Gonsalves, Salu, Johnny Pereira and brought smiles on many faces at the Duler grounds in Mapusa and in Margao. Players, coaches, referees and football lovers had a long-awaited opportunity to shake hands and embrace each other.

Giving a fitting kick-start to the Goan International World Soccer Cup at the Duler Grounds in Mapusa on January 9, where hosts Goa, who upset hardworking UAE Goans 1-0. The solitary goal was scored by international Goan star Camilo Gonsalves, in an exciting match with both teams exhibiting their best brand of soccer. Besides Brahmanand, the Goa team was studded with former stalwarts like Socorro, Nicholas, Mahesh, Bosco, Camilo Gonsalves and others. The UAE had Albino Madeira and Anthony Fernandes (both from Siolim), Savio (Sirsaim), Bonnie (Saligao), Benny (Varca) and others.

Before the match began, all the eight participating teams lined up on the green grass of home: Goa, UAE, S Arabia, Bahrain, India Goans, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. The chairman of the comanising Committee Alberto Colaco along with Olavo Menezes and others were present on the occasion. Girl students of St Francis Xavier High School in Mapusa, enacted a lovely Japanese dance, and the girls of St Mary's High School acted as cheerleaders.

GFA president Joaquim Alemao released the balloons and declared the tournament opened to the delight of the large gathering. The exciting programme was compered by Ms Juliana Gurjao Colaco, former female football star of Goa. The burgeoning excitement of the Goan Soccer World Cup was somewhat punctured when Kuwait Goans failed to turn up for their last league encounter with India Goans at the Duler grounds, having lost 4-0 to Qatar and 2-1 to Oman.

The tallest score of the tournament was UAE Goans inflicting a 5-0 drubbing on Bahrain Goans, to sail into semis. Playing a stellar role, UAE's Russel Rodrigues scored the tournament's first hat-trick. The UAE team's performance got better with every game though injured goalkeeper Albino could not take the field after pulling a thigh muscle midway in the second match. Camilo Gonsalves for Goa against India Goans in the semis and Alister Fernandes for Oman against Qatar scored the other two hat-tricks of the tournament.

Oman Goans displayed fine mettle but succumbed to a heavy drubbing of 4-0 from UAE in the second semi-finals. Both the youthful teams struggled to match move for move. But Alister and Henry failed to click for Oman. UAE's prolific scorer Russel Rodrigues (Colva), was content in feeding his co-forwards and it was diminutive Joseph who scored three thrilling goals. But the spectacular feat didn't fetch him a hat-trick because Anthony Fernandes (Siolim) headed in the first goal of the second half. Joseph completed Oman's rout.

The tournament ended the way it had begun, with Goa clashing with UAE…this time in Margao. The finals were a battle between experience and youth. (Goa and India Goan teams were permitted to field only players aged 40 years and above.) In the action-packed, fitting finale, the foxy old Goans turned to their maturity and experience to contain youthful UAE, and to confirm their claim to the first ever Goan Soccer World Cup, in a 4-3 verdict at the Nehru Stadium.

The swift raids of Goa's Micdomio Rebello and Camilo Gonsalves were fenced off by the UAE defence, ably marshalled by Surendra Gad (Assagao) and Joeboy (Siolim). Prolific striker Russel Rodrigues and Joseph Fernandes retaliated but there was Brahmanand at his best under the Goa bar, leaping like a leopard as he used to during his heydays. As usual, Salu (Sesa) played at terrific pace in Goa's defence.

Goa's skipper Socorro Coutinho received the glittering Goan Soccer World Cup rolling trophy, donated by Raul Fernandes, in memory of his father. Veteran Camilo Gonsalves was adjudged the highest scorer of the tournament, and Brahmanand deservedly earned the title of the Best Player of the Tournament. The runners-up and winners trophies were sponsored by the ICICI Bank.

Mementos were presented to each player of all the participating teams. Raul Fernandes of Dubai presented gold plated mementos to Chief Minister Sardinha, GFA president Joaquim Alemao, GFA Secretary Agnelo Alcacoas and Olavo Menezes.

On behalf of the Gulf teams, Raul Fernandes thanked and congratulated the local comanisers, and assured that the UAE team will participate in the next World Cup two years from now; he received a thunderous applause from the crowd. It was a touching sight to watch Salu of Goa kissing each and every UAE player on the cheek, making up for his rather rough tackles.

And thus ended, on a cheerful note, a historic gathering of Goan footballers. Though a flitting glimpse of Goanity, it could pave the for greater things to happen in the Goan diaspora. It started with soccer, but it need not restrict itself to sports alone. Three Cheers to the Winners, Runners-up, all the remaining team including Kuwait. Cheers, above all to email, (Olavo, Ambert Pimenta and Others) internet, Rene Barreto, Goans International and GFA, for the spectacular event marking the millennium celebrations.

JOEL D'SOUZA & ALISTER MIRANDA