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Get your free subscription at: http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-sports-goanet.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "We have a young, balanced side," says Chief Coach Medeira SALGAOCAR SC GET SET FOR GOA PRO LEAGUE By Zena Costa [EMAIL PROTECTED] June 28: Goan football giants, Salgaocar Sports Club whose shock relegation in the 10th ONGC NFL upset the green brigade's huge fan following in south and central Goa, have made a resurgent comeback to the premier league. Despite heavy showers back in Goa, they have begun training in earnest for the Goa Pro league (GPL), which kicks off on 1 August 2007. The port towners of Vasco da Gama this time settle for its time-honored balanced 'team play' as opposed to 'stars cast', a move which has been welcomed by the Goa's football sorority. Although Salgaocar lose out on lanky medio and India international Micky Fernandes (to Sporting Clube) and chief coach Savio Medeira is expected to return to field only late August following surgery, the club has conversely finalized a squad which includes three foreign recruits Babatunde (defender), Bolwe Mputu and Felix Chimaokwu (strikers). Speaking to this writer from his residence in vicinity of the JPN Stadium at Fatorda, amongst the finest coaching minds in India, SSC's 'without-airs' thinking cap Savio Medeira was confident. He finds himself in the pretty unpleasant spot of being confined to home subsequent to steering the team back to the big league with his trademark resilience. Said Madeira, "We have a youthful and very well balanced team this season. We have to establish ourselves now and we are working very hard and as a unit. I am expectant to get back (to coaching) by late August.... Mathew is running things for now. My ultimate goal is towards coming close up to the former glory Salgaocar once enjoyed." Medeira certainly has reasons for optimism; as the squad is enhanced by new arrivals the talismanic and volatile entertainer S.Malsaswamtunga (MAMA) from Bagan. Young and gifted Nicholas Rodrigues is a catch and so is Joe Rodrigues too (both Sporting Clube) in mid-field. Both are effective, on and are nippy finishers too. In defense is (KEB's) Vincent Pires and tough defending Samson Fernandes (Mahindra). Bolwe Mputu and Felix Chimaokwu add more teeth to Salgaocar strike force which has the nations most promising youngsters -- Joshuah Vaz (16) and Beeven D'Mello (19)and Milagres Gonsalves (18). All three can leave the toughest defense leaded footed and are sure shots in bulging the nylons. Salgaocar retain the services of the teams pillars and hard-slog guys Rocus Lamare who impressed at the India U-23 and team cheer leader and possibly captain again Remus Gomes. Savio's assistant Mathew D'Costa, GFA's Most Promising Young Coach awardee, will be at helm in the local league and SSC are credible to put up a good showing along with Coca Cola Churchill Brothers and Sporting Clube de Goa in the Goa Professional League. Salgaocar's clash with traditional challengers Current NFL and Durand Cup champs Dempo Sports Club is significantly anticipated. Amongst eager fans watching the team go through the drills at the Parvatibai Chowgule College Grounds artificial surface, was Portuguese Coach Manuel Gomes, who is vacationing in Goa. The former Angola National coach who has coached the Portuguese sides FC Braga and Benfica and is the national coach of Maldives was spotted watching the 'Greens' and seen in dialogue with Coach Mathew. THE SQUAD: Goal keepers: Milagrio Medeira, Marcus B, Defenders: Vincent Pires, N.Singh, Samson Fernandes, Remus Gomes, Peter Costa, Bolwe Mputu and Biju Kumar, Strikers: Milagres Gonsalves, Beevan d'Mello, Savio Carneiro, Edison Sequeira, Mario Mascarenhas, Cajetan Fernandes, Lenny Rodrigues, Joshuh Vaz, Anthony Barbosa, Wellington Fernandes Winger/half: Jerome Oliveira, Mcaklas Fernandes, Anthony Barbosa,Wellington Fernandes. Medios: Sachin Gawas, Nicholas Rodrigues, Joe Rodrigues, Rocus Lamare, Francis Fernandes, Zico Costa, Premjit Singh, Francis Andrade, William Colaco, S.Malswamtlulunga (Mama), Agnelo Baretto, Anil Kumar. Technical team: chief coach Savio Medeira, assistant coach Mathew D'Costa, manager Sanjeev Nagvenkar, secretary R.A.J Gomes, physio Lloyd Simoes.