FORWARDS
VASSU RAITURCAR
Vassu was a household name in Goan soccer and he rendered yeoman service to Salgaocar from 1955 to 1971.
Undoubtedly, he was the most dangerous forward in their ranks. The opponents always had a tough time in containing this indomitable right outer who created the openin~s for the other forwards, with delectable, defence splitting passes and wonderful dribbling ability. Vassu had a penchant for scoring and he scored a number of beautiful goals even when he was tightly marked. He was a source of inspiration to his colleagues, as he dazzled consistently on the right flank and indeed was a fine play-maker. Vassu had the spheroid glued to his dancing feet, so perfect was his control over the ball. It was a treat to watch Vassu tear the rival defence to shreds witb his intelligent game. The spectators, naturally, had their attention focused on jersey number seven. Beyond doubt Vassu who also excelled in table tennis, cricket and carrom was a gifted footballer. Slim and wiry, he had the speed to take the rival defenders for a ride. He played in the 1964 Nationals at Madras and in 1965 at Guwahati.
AINSAO COUTINHO
Popularly known as Gobro, Ainsao was Salgaocar''s prolific scorer for a number of years. The dashing forward who had a mighty kick, served Salgaocar for nearly two decades. Ainsao loved to slam the ball past the rival goalkeeper and never hesitated to take first timers. Just as Salgaocar''s opponents could not afford to lose the ball to Vassu, they could ill afford to find the ball going to Ainsao as he would send it into the net at the first opportunity. He was truly a goal-hungry forward and a goal by Ainsao bore the stamp of class. He assisted Goa in the Nationals from 1964 to 1968. The crowds flocked to see Gobroin action and he always lived upto their expectations, starring in many a triumph for Salgaocar.
CAETANINHO SOUZA
Caetaninho, who had a good build and a great enthusiasm for the game, was one of the outstanding performers for Vasco Sports Club. He played a forceful game and imparted strength
PAGE MISG
Incidentally, these were the only two goals that the Taj Club conceded in the tournament and both the goals were netted by Domnic from a near zero angle. Vasco went down fighting to the Iranians.
The Vasa Izo Club from Hungary, which visited the country in 1983 played a series of exhibition matches in India, and it suffered a lone defeat against Goa XI at Panjim. Domnic thrilled the spectators with his wonderful dribbling and Goa''s match winner was scored by Prakash Naik off a beautiful pass from Domnic. All that Prakash had to do was tap the ball in. After striking a superb combination with Andrew, Catao and Bernard, Domnic combined very effectively with Raphael and Jose, to earn a number of victories for Vasco.
Domnic had a short stint with Dempo and his successful career ended with Vasco. It was his misfortune that he never got
an opportunity to don India colours. Domnic was the captain of the Goa team that participated in the 1975 National at Kozhikode. He could score from a difficult angle and convert penalty kicks effortlessly. But the hallmark of his game was the ability to run along the left flank for some 40 to 50 yards and he was never booked in his entire career.
No Goan forward could match Bernard for sheer speed and horse-like stamina when he was at the peak of his form. Bernard who hails from Aldona, was a tall and well-built striker. He gave a harrowing time to the rival defenders with sheer speed and indeed, ''he was very dangerous, as he could to take a sudden shot on the run.
He had a powerful shot and had scored a gem of a goal for Goa against Bengal in the first leg semifmal of the 1972 National at Dr Rajendra Prasad Stadium in Margao. The two teams shared four goals in a thrilling match. Bernard scored a number of classic goals for Vasco in the local competitions and also in major tournaments in the country. He first donned the India colours in 1972 and rendered his services for Orkay Mills, Bombay, from 1974. He is the first footballer to receive the Bakshi Bahaddar Jivdabai Kerkar award given by the State Government. The late Mr Dayanand Bandodkar was a great admirer of Bernard.
JOSE FERNANDES
This tiny forward had the skill and tenacity to get past robust defenders. After coming into the limelight with Panvel, Jose gave fine performances for Vasco and end~d his career with Dempo. Jose scored Dempo''s match-winner against East Bengal
in the semi-final of the 1986 Rovers Cup tournament, which they won beating Mohun Bagan through a brace by Baptista Fernandes. Vasco''s attack was at its best when Jose played in the front line with Domnic and Raphael. Jose also combined well with Camilo and Dionisio, when he assisted Dempo. He also played for Goa and led the team at Thrissoor. Altogether, he went for the Nationals eight times, making his debut at Ernakulamin 1973.
DIONISIO TRINDADE
Like Jose and many others he was a product of Pan vel Sports Club. He joined Dempo after assisting Salgaocar and was one of its best strikers. Dionisio scored both the goals for Dempo against JCT in the 1979 Rovers Cup final. He also achieved the distinction of donning the Goa colours on a number of occasions. He was a consistent scorer in the 1983 National at Calcutta. Dionisio made his debut in the Nationals at Kozh~kode in 1975. He performed a hat-trick for Dempo in the pre-quarter-final of the 1977 Sait Nagjee tournament against HAL, Bangalore.
SAMSHER KHAN
The Panvel forward played with style and was a prolific scorer. He gave a good account of himself when playing for Sesa and represented Goa in the 1978 National at Srinagar.
CAMILO GONSALVES
The Dempo striker was the man who scored Goa''s match winner against Punjab in the final of the 1984 National Championship at Madras. Camilo, a dashing forward from Agacaim, joined Dempo after donning Salgaocar colours. He has a highly impressive record in the Bandodkar Gold trophy tournament, having scored a goal in the final on five consecutive occasions and performed a hat-trick for Dempo in the 1986 fmal against BSF. A hattrick by Camilo had taken Dempo into the final of the 1986 Stafford Cup tournament, but Dempo did not contest the final against East Bengal. He donned India colours and represented Goa a number of times. Camilo captained Goa in the 1987 National at Calcutta.
ERNEST BRAGANZA
The left winger was perhaps the speediest forward in the game and played for Sesa Goa for quite a long time. Even at a fast pace, he exercised wonderful control over the ball. Albino and Lobo were always well supported by Ernest, who dribbled his way beautifully past a number of opponents. Ernest made
his debut in the National at Nowgong in 1969 and represented Goa till the 1972 National, which was held in Goa. The opponents had a tough time dealing with him and he always entertained the crowd with his dazzling display on the left flank. He was selected for the Nationals atJalandhar (1970) and also at Madras (1971).
MANOHAR ASNODKAR
This nippy forward had distinguished himself as a good scorer while assisting Benfica, Mapusa, in the First Division league in the sixties. Manohar would dart in whenever he sensed an opportunity to score. He had good ball control and shooting ability. While Manohar did well in the front line, his brother Sadanand stood like a rock in defence when the two played for Dempo-Souza. Sadanand had also played as a forward.
The well built striker was a member of Sesa Goa Sports Club which represented Goa in the 1970, 1972 and the 1973 national. Mauricio had a powerful shot.
TULSIDAS
The tall forward was in the spotlight while playing for St. Inez Sports Club and represented Goa in the 1967 National at Hyderabad. Tulsidas later played for Dempo Sports Club.
The talented forward was a member of Vasco Sports Club when they won the Bandodkar Gold Trophy in 1975. He developed into a fine forward under the guidance of Peter Thangaraj. He scored Sesa Goa''s match-winner against Salgaocar in the replayed final of the 1978 Bandodkar Gold trophy tournament at Margao. Prakash also achieved the distinction of netting Dempo''s match-winner in the final of the 1982 Bardoloi Shield tournament against Mohammedan Sporting. He scored Goa''s match winner in an exhibition match against Vasa Izo from Hungary. Prakash made his debut in the National at Srinagar in 1978 when Goa reached the final for the first time, He represented India in the Kings Cup tournament at Bangkok and on the Zambian tour in 1977 when he was with Sesa Goa.
ISIDORE FERNANDES
The well built forward from St. Inez, did a fine job as a striker for Don Basco Oratory and combined well with Armando Colaco. Isidore had a powerful shot and representedGoa in the 1973 National at Ernakulam.
ANTHONY D''SOUZA
This skillful striker performed a hat-trick in the first leg semi¬final of the 18th Junior National Championship against Railways at Cochin in 1982. Goa went on to beat Kerala, 2-0 in the final, with Anthony scoring the first goal in the first half. He played for Goa in the senior National at Jabalpur in 1986 and at Calcutta in 1987. He was largely responsible for taking Maharashtra to the final of the 1985 National championship at Kanpur, where Punjab emerged winners by 3-0. Maharashtra had defeated Punjab by a solitary goal, scored by Anthony, in the quarter¬final league match. Anthony scored Sesa''s match-winner in the final of the All India Central Excise tournament against Titanium at Cochin in 1988. He scored a brace against Central Excise and had also netted twice against Air India in the 9th Governor''s Gold Cup tournament at Gangtok where they defeated Mohammedan Sporting in the final. Anthony led the team in both the tournaments. He also played for Mahindras and Salgaocar.
Sarto had distinguished himself as one of the best strikers in the 18th Junior National Championship at Cochin. He scored the second goal for Goa in the final against Kerala, Goa winning 2-0. He was a consistent scorer for Salgaocar in the 1987 Federation Cup tournament at Cuttack. A goal by Sarto helped Salgaocar to hold PSEB to a 1-1 draw in the first leg semi-final of the 1987 Federation Cup tournament at Cuttack. Salgaocar won
the second leg, 2-0, Sarto being instrumental in getting the'' second goal. He scored a brace against ITI and earned Salgaocar a solitary goal win over Mahindras. Sarto also scored against. Neyvelli Lignite Corporation, Tamil Nadu. He represented Goa in the 1986 National at Jabalpur and had performed well for the Goa schools team that won the National schools title in 1978.
IGNATIUS DIAS
Ignatius was a member of the Goa Schools team that won the National schools championship at Srinagar in 1978. He began to play for Salgaocar after a brief spell with Dempo. He scored Salgaocar''s match-winner against Dempo in the semi-final of
the 1982 Stafford Cup tournament at Bangalore. Ignatius scored for Salgaocar in the semi-final of the 1989 Federation Cup tournament against Mohun Bagan, which eventually suffered their first ever defeat at the hands of Salgaocar by the odd goal in three. He represented Goa in the Nationals in 1984, 1985 and 1987. He was a member of the India team for the 1989 Nehru Gold Cup tournament at Calcutta.
BENTO ANDREW
The Salgaocar forward was a fine forward. Salgaocar made their first ever entry in the Rovers Cup final by virtue of a goal scored by Bento against Dempo.
They also registered their first ever win over Mohun Bagan with the help of a magnificent goal by Bento Andrew. This was in the semi-final of the 1989 Federation Cup tournament at Coimbatore. He netted Salgaocars'' match-winner in the final of the 1988 Naya Duniya tournament against BSF at Indore. Andrew made his debut in the National at Patna in 1976 and his last appearance was in the 1986 National at Jabalpur. He represented India in the 1983 Nehru Gold Cup tournament at Cochin.
Diminutive Thapa, a tenacious forward, always worked hard in the interests of the team. He joined Dempo Souza from 2 STC and scored for them on a number of occasions. Thapa represented Goa in the 1969 National at Nowgong and was also in the team for the National at Madras in 1971.
K. WILLIAMS
The former EME striker had achieved the distinction of scoring the match-winner in the final of major tournaments on a number of occasions.
He had done it for EME in the replayed final of the 1967 Nehru Memorial tournament against Vasco Sports Club and had also scored for EME in the other final as well. Williams netted Dempo''s match-winner in the final of the 1975 Rovers Cup tournament against Tata Sports Club. He was a member of the Goa team in the 1972 National held in Goa and had also represented Goa at Madras in 1971.
BAPTISTA FERNANDES
Baptista has been an outstanding footballer right from his school days. He was vice-captain of the Goa schools team that won the National Schools Games Football Championship at
Srinagar in 1978. Baptista was the best performer in the 1982 Junior National Championship at Cochin, where Goa defeated Kerala in the final to win the Dr. B.e. Roy trophy for the first time. He was top scorer with nine goals. Baptista was also a member of the Goa team that shared the Santosh trophy with Bengal in 1983. He was the hero of Dempo''s facile 2-0 victory over Mohun Bagan in the final of the 1986 Rovers Cup tournament, having scored both goals. Beyond doubt he was a gifted footballer.
SEBASTIAN CUNHA
The late Sebastian Cunha, had distinguished himself as an outstanding forward while playing for Vasco Sports Club.
He had the knack of scoring in vital matches and Vasco gained a lot from this signing. Vasco hammered Salgaocar, 4-0, in the semi-final of the 1973 Police Cup tournament and all the goals were scored by Cunha. He scored for Vasco on several occasions in the KFA Shield and the Chakola Gold trophy tournament, which they won in 1973-74.
He also performed well in the Bordoloi Shield tournament. Cunha joined Tata Sports Club in 1975 and worked out a good combination with Shabbir Ali. Tata won the Bandodkar Gold trophy tournament on debut in 1977, with Cunha giving a pleasing display in the company of veteran Marto Gracias and Shabbir Ali who was the topscorer in the tourpament with nine goals to his credit.
Aquem Youth Club Margao, has been conducting a tournament in memory of this skillful forward, who always behaved in an exemplary manner on and off the field.
ZAI D''COSTA
Slim and lanky Zai was a speedy winger who was ani
exceptiona]]y good header of the ball. He had scored for Salgaocar in the 1975 Nizam Gold Cup final against Tata, but it ended in a 1-1 draw and Salgaocar lost the replay by a goal. Zai had netted Salgaocar''s match winner in the semi-final against holders RAe. He was a hard working forward. who exercised good control over the balJ. Zai had rendered fine service for Independent before joining Salgaocar.
ZACHARIAS FERNANDES
The stocky forward went on a scoring spree for Salgaocar during the 1970-71 season. He scored a beautiful goal off a pass from Britto in the semi-final of the 1970 Bandodkar Gold trophy tournament against Dempo Souza and it earned Salgaocar the right to meet Leaders Club in the final. Salgaocar also scored a 2-0 win over RAC getting their goals through Zai and Zacharias. He also netted Salgaocar''s match-winner in the Nagpur Rovers Cup final against Punjab Police in 1971. He was a member of the Goa team for the 1967 National at Cuttack and 1969 National at Nowgong.
Anand was an energetic forward who had speed, dash and good shooting ability. He gave a good account while playing for Independent Sports Club, Margao and this helped him don the colours of famed clubs, like Vasco and Orkay Mills. He was a canny forward who always got goals when his team needed them most.
GOUVEIA BROTHERS
The Gouveia brothers, Nazareth, Agapito and Franco came into the limelight when they played for St. Inez Sports Club. Well built Nazareth was a centre forward with good shooting power. Franco was a speedy left winger and the two played for Shantilal. Both were in the Goa team for the 1967 National at Cuttack. Agapito, the inside forward played for Sesa Goa after assisting Salgaocar.
He was one of the outstanding forwards for Academica who also played for MCC and Shantilal. Peter was a talented player and always played a clean game. He took to refereeing after his retirement from the game and did a fine job in this capacity. He served as a referee in five Nationals and later became a Referees Inspector in major tournaments.
NANDA GAAD
The bustling forward came into the sharp focus, while playing for Mapusa Youth. Speed, dash and powerful shooting made him one of the most dangerous forwards in the game. He performed a hat-trick for Dempo in the first leg semi-final of the 1972 Nizam Gold Cup tournament against ASC, Dempo winning, 3-1. He also scored in the second leg semi-final, which Dempo won 4-0. Gaad was a member of Dempo Sports Club that won the Rovers Cup in 1975.
The talented winger had played an important role in taking
Dempo to the final of the 1975 Rovers Cup tournament by scoring
the lone goal in the semi-final against Punjab XI. Franco also scored the lone goal for Dempo in the 1975 Bandodkar final which, however, they lost to Vasco 1-3. Franco combined well with Francis D''Souza, Williams and Machado.
FRANCIS RODRIGUES
The speedy Panvelleft winger could give a tough time even to a seasoned right back Like Inacio Piedade. He was a dashing forward with good shooting ability and was a specialist in taking the reverse kick. Like Kesalram and Shyam Thapa, Francis was a reliable scorer for Salgaocar during the 1974-75 season. Salgaocar won their match in the Nizam Gold Cup tournament against holders RAC 3-1, with Francis scoring the first goal. They made the final but lost to Tata. Francis also assisted Vasco, Dempo and Sesa Goa. He represented Goa in the 1974 National at Jalandhar.
SURESH KUDCHADKAR
The burly forward from Chandor, with a powerful shot, assisted Salgaocar when they had Vassu and Ainsao in their ranks in the early sixties. Suresh excelled in finishing. He scored a brace in a crucial match against Independent, Margao, and helped Salgaocar win the First Division league championship in 1960-61.
The stocky centre-forward assisted St. Inez for three years after playing for Academica for a couple of seasons. He was a good striker. St. Inez and Caranzalem were on level terms, 1-1, after the regulation time in the 1968 Tac;:a Goa final at the Duler ground in Mapusa. They regained the lead in extra time through a goal by Joao. St. Inez came under pressure as Caranzalem tried hard for the equaliser. Vallabh put the issue beyond doubt getting their third goal with a well-timed shot. He had scored the match winner in the semi-final against Sesa Goa. He had also starred in Academica''s big win over St. Inez in a First Division league match at Panjim, scoring five goals. A goal by Vallabh had helped St. Inez score an upset win over Shantilal in a senior division league match in 1969. Academica too had shocked Vasco through a goal by Vallabh.
ROY BARRETO
Nippy, Roy Barreto lent good support to Bruno Coutinho while assisting Salgaocar. The two combined well in Goa''s attack to exert tremendous pressure on the opponents in the under-23
National (1990)held in Goa. Goa''sentry into the semi-final was doubtful, as they had to win their crucial match against Maharashtra to reach the last four stage.
To the joy of Goans, Roy struck timely form to perform a brilliant hat -trick. Mercurial Roy worked hard for Goa in the final against Kerala on rain soaked field and the Kerala defenders had a tough time in marking him.
While undertaking post graduate studies Roy had helped Goa University win the All India Inter-Varsities Football Championship, which was held in Goa (1987). He scored 19 goals in the West-Zone Inter-University tournament which was won by Goa .
Roy ran like an athlete and his speed coupled with shooting ability had made him a dangerous forward. Roy represented India in the Nehru Gold Cup tournament and also in the Pre¬Olympics. He was a member of the India team that participated in the President''s Cup tournament in Bangladesh.
PAIXAO
This forward had good scoring ability and had done well for MCC. He scored a number of goals for Sesa Goa as a substitute. Paixao positioned himself well to score, often reversing the result of the match.
MARIO SOARES
He was the babe of Salgaocar team that won the Federation Cup for the first time at Delhi in 1988. But he proved to be the hero of their triumph over BSF in the final, as the only goal of the match was scored by Mario and soared Salgaocar''s soccer prestige. An attractive offer from MRF was accepted by him. But Mario didn''t stay long with MRF as he had better prospects with Dempo. Mario had the honour ofleading Goa to a triumph over Kerala in the final of the under-23 National Championship at Margao in 1990.
He also captained the Goa selection in the 1991 National at Palakkad where Goa went down fighting to Kerala, 3-4, in the semi- final, after trailing by three goals. All seven goals were scored in the first half. Mario was in the India team for the 1989 Jawaharlal Nehru Gold Cup International tournament and in the Pre-Olympic series at Hyderabad. He scored India''s equaliser against Oman off a flag kick taken by skipper Bruno Coutinho.
JOHN ARAUJO
The stocky forward from St. Cruz donned the colours of the
Senior India team at a tender age after playing for the junior
India selection in 1988. He scored India''s match winner in th Asian Youth tournament against Pakistan and was inducte into the Sr. India team for the Asia Cup tournament in 1988. Jobi also had the privilege of representing India in the 1989 J awaharla Nehru Gold Cup International tournament which was held jl Goa.
He made a fine impression on Mohun Bagan coach Ama Dutta when the famed Calcutta outfit participated in the 1981 Bandodkar Gold trophy tournament at Panjim.
John played for MRF and was a member of the Goa team that
participated in the National at Cochin. He made his .first appearance for Goa in the 1986 National at Calcutta and held hig place in the Goa side for the 1988 National at Quilon and the
1989 National at Guwahati.
CYRIL DIAS
Sparsely built Cyril came into prominence while assisting Mormugao Port Trust. He played a stellar role in taking MPT I~
the final of the Nizam Gold Cup tournament in 1983 as h
I
accounted far both the goals in the semi-final against Andhra
Pradesh XI. Cyril scored Salgaocar''s precious equaliser agains ITI in the 1988 Federation Cup tournament at Delhi, SalgaocaJ winning the match in the tie-breaker. He joined MRF in 1989 an< his goal in the final against Salcete helped them win the Ta~i Goa for the first time in 1992. Cyril represented Goa from 1988
1989.
MARCUS CARVALHO
Not many can claim to be the highest goal scorer for thre consecutive Goa Senior Division Football League seasons Not many can claim to raise the standard of play of the'' teammates by their mere presence. And not many can claim I
have hit back so peachily at their detractors for writing them off, after a disastrous start.
Churchill Brothers Sports Club''s Marcus Carvalho, whl signed for Dempo recently, however, is an exception. Marcil stood tall with his attractive and opportunIstic play havinj notched 32 goals in the senior division leagues between 1996 1999. No player has even come close to this. This says it all a'' about this charismatic performer. He is an extraordinary perform
whose deeds will not be clouded by the passage of time.
FRANCIS SILVEIRA
Lovingly known as Pocket, all over the State, Francii Silveira excels with his ability to weave past one defende
after another and score outstanding goals. Pocket started his career with Sesa and later jumped over to Dempo Sports Club, where he continued to be the highest paid player, before moving over to Churchill Brothers Sports Club. Pocket along with his teammate Marcus Carvalho, were the joint highest scorers in the maiden Professional League in 1998-99.
The Agacaim-born striker, was also the joint highest scorer along with Srikant Datta of Bengal at the Santosh Trophy, at Guwahati Assam, in 1997-98. Goa, however, lost to Bengal in the final via a solitary goal.
ALVITO D''CUNHA
Alvito, a player with raw vitality and the potential ability to
score with ease from eidter inside or outside the box, is a nightmare if you happen to be his marker because you rarely can win a one to one battle with this agile striker. His shooting power has caught the attention of all and it can leave one leaden footed.
No goalkeeper feels safe when Alvito is on the prowl. Alvito shot into prominence with his remarkable performance for Sesa Goa in the National League qualifiers. The ''infamous'' incident wherein he signed for two clubs also added to his fame. Playing in his first international match in the Rajiv Gandhi international football tournament at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, against Iraq, Alvito scored a stunning goal and gave India the lead, only to see the Iraqis fight back with a vengeance. Iraq scored five goals in the second session to oust India 5-1.
