MID FIELDERS
ALISAB SADEKAR
This hard working and very mobile midfielder always played a spirited game for his side. Ali first played for Salgaocar in 1958 and rejoined them in 1961, after playing for MCC and Railways. He was a member of the Goa team that made its debut in the National in 1964. Ali positioned himself well to accept the clearances made by the defenders and had the ability to release defence splitting passes to his colleagues. He helped the defenders when they were under pressure and played a prominent role in initiating attacking moves. In a nutshell Ali acted as a perfect link between attack and defense.
This diminutive player made a good reputation for himself when he played for Salgaocar Sports Club from 1963 to 1965. He, had the knack to nip the opponents'' moves in the bud and the ability to make defense splitting passes to his colleagues. He joined Vasco Sports Club in 1965 and performed brilliantly in the 1966 Rovers Cup tournament. He was hard working and tenacious. Keshav rejoined Salgaocar towards the fag end of his career. He was a member of the Goa team which made its debut in the Nationals at Madras in 1963-64. He also played at Guwahati and Quilon in 1965 and 1966.
This highly efficient medio from Kerala made his debut in Goan soccer when he joined Salgaocar in the early sixties. He fell back to help the defenders, whenever they came under pressure and moved upfield in a flash to feed the forwards with precise passes. He assisted Vasco Sports Club from 1965 to 1971 playing a vital role in the midfield. This versatile, cool and calm playmaker was one of the key members of the side thai finished as runner-up to Mohun Began in the 1966 Rovers tournament. Satyan donned the Goa colours in the 1967 Nationals at Cuttack and captained Goa in the 1968 Nationals at Bangalore.
After starting his career as a forward, Rosemond shifted to the midfield and gave a very good account of himself. He played as a forward for Vasco in the 1966 Rovers Cup tournament and scored on a number of occasions. He was an opportunistic forward. Rosemond asserted himself when he started playing as a half and had the honour of leading Goa in the National Football Championship that Goa hosted in 1972. He was an indefatigable player who roved allover the field and controlled the proceedings admirably. Rosemond played in the Nationals from 1966 to 1972. Vasco won the SaitNagjee trophy, the Stafford Cup and the Police Cup under his captaincy in 1969.
LEVINO DIAS
Diminutive Levino was an aggressive midfielder who represented Goa in the 1965 Nationals at Guwahati while playing for Academica. He was a tireless worker in the midfield and a comer kick specialist fetching a number of goals for his side. He also played for St. Inez and Panvel Sports Club. Both the teams benefited a lot from his service. Levino accounted for a goal in the 3-1 victory that St. Inez scored over Caranzalem in the 1968 Taca Goa finals. He was also a member of Panvel Sports Club that won the Bandodkar Gold Trophy in 1974. The Levino-Joao combination was as well known as Albino-Lobo one, and the two always loved to play together. As a coach Levino tr:ained youngsters and Goa won the sub-junior National championship in 1987 and 1989 under his guidance.
Joao played as a half along with Levino for several years. They played together for Academica, St. Inez and Panvel. Joao played for Vasco, Shantilal and Dempo on the tours and he always played the game in a gentlemanly manner. He had the interests of the game at heart and after retirement served as a coach for Panvel, Salgaocar and Sesa Goa.
The pint-sized midfielder played the game with great enthusiasm. He had the speed, strength and stamina to distinguish himself as a hardworking medio. After assisting Shantilal, Felix reached the peak of his form while donning the Dempo colours. He was in the star-studded Goa team that participated in the 1971 National at Chennai. He also played for Salgaocar
FELIX BARRETO
Tall and well built, Felix Barreto started his career in midfield and he played well for Shantilal which was one of the leading Goa teams. Shantilal was unlucky not to reach the final of the Subbaroy Memorial tournament at Coimbatore in 1968, as they lost the penultimate round to A.G''s Office, Thiruvunanthapuram, on lots. Felix represented Goa for the first time at the Hyderabad National in 1967. He also found a place in the side for the 1968 and 1970 Nationals. Felix started playing as a stopper after joining Dempo and performed the task efficiently.
The tall and talented half played for Vasco Sports club, from 1969 to 1972, after making a fine showing for Mapusa Youth. Vallabh also played for Salgaocar. He combined well with George Rosemond to help Vasco gain command in the midfield. He had speed and good stamina, which helped him to give a good account of himself against any opponent. He was a member of Vasco Sports Club which won the Police Cup, the Stafford Cup and the KFA Shield. He scored in the Stafford final. Vallabh is the brother of Ramesh, Ashok and Dilip, who all played in the Senior Division league. Ramesh played as a forward for Benfica. Ashok (a fine table tennis player) kept goal for Mapusa Youth and Dilip played as a half for Sesa Goa. Ashok had accompanied the state team as coach cum manager for the 1974 Junior Nationals at Coimbatore.
The cool and talented medio caught the eye of the connoisseurs when he was with Panvel Sports Club. He rendered good service for Vasco Sports Club and had the privilege of leading Goa in the 1977 National at Calcutta. Andrew played consistently well and never got involved in rough play. He made his debut in the 1974 Nationals at Jalandhar.
The cool and talented medio caught the eye of the connoisseurs when he was with Panvel Sports Club. He rendered good service for Vasco Sports Club and had the privilege of leading Goa in the 1977 National at Calcutta. Andrew played consistently well and never got involved in rough play. He made his debut in the 1974 Nationals at Jalandhar.
He was one of the outstanding midfielders to have assisted Dempo and had secured a berth in the Goa team for the Nationals at J alandhar in 1970 and at Madras in 1971. He was a hard working medio, and was blessed with stamina a plenty.
RAMESH REDKAR
Slim and higWy talented, Ramesh was a crafty forward when he started his first class career with Independente Sports Club, Margao. The club which had some fine performers like goalkeeper PaQdu Morye, stopper Victor and winger Zai D''Costa, performed impressively in the Senior Division league, with Ramesh scoring on a number of occasions. Ramesh was invited to play for Vasco and Sesa on the tours. He had a distinguished career as a playmaker with Dempo leading it to win the prestigious Rovers Cup for the first time in 1975. Dempo also emerged as joint winner of the Stafford Cup the same season. Ramesh represented India in the 1973 Merdeka tournament and assisted Goa ill the 1972 and 1973 Nationals. He is a Science graduate.
ARMANDO COLACO
Don Bosco Oratory, a First Division league side of the seventies had a fme attacking half in Armando Colaco. He earned a name as a goo~ play maker and had offers from various leading clubs. But Armando preferred to join ~empo for whom he gave a pleasing display. He donned the India colours in the 1976 President''s Cup tournament at Seoul and represented Goa in the 1979 Nation~ at Coimbatore and the 1980 National at Trichur. He was the recipient of the Kerkar award in 1985. Armando has
. been working as a coach since his retirement. He began as a
coach with Salcete and did a fine job for them. He joined Dempo
, after a brief stay with Sesa who finished runner-up in the 1991 Vittal trophy tournament at Madras. He was the manager of the Goa team that won the Santosh trophy in the 1990 National at Margao. His brother Daniel had also distinguished himself as a good forward while playing for Don Bosco Oratory. Daniel also did well in athletics. Don Bosco had trounced Salgaocar by five goals in a First Division league match at Panjim in 1975.
ASHOK AROLKAR
Popularly known as Babu, Ashok Arolkar was a very competent half. He made his mark while assisting Panvel Sports club and this helped him to get an offer from Salgaocar in 1975. He played a vital role for Salgaocar in the midfield and made a significant contribution to its success in the senior Division League. Salgaocar also became the runner-up in the Nizam Gold Cup tournament the same season. Babu joined Vasco in 1976 and later he played for Dempo. He led Dempo when they won the Rovers Cup in 1979. The talented midfielder, who also served the game as a referee always helped his side control the midfield proceedings in a confident manner. He played for Goa in J
1973, 1974 and 1975 Nationals. He also accompanied the team as assistant manager for the 1986 National at Jabalpur.
ALEX MIRANDA
Alex, from Calangute, is one of the best players to hm assisted Dempo over the years. He played in style and had good dribbling and scoring ability. Like Babu and Arnold I also came into the limelight while assisting Panvel. He play! for Salgaocar in 1975 and ended his career with Dempo aft, giving a series of good performances for them. Alex represent( Goa in the 1977 and 1987 Nationals at Calcutta. He made h debut at Ernakulam in 1973 and also went for the Nationals Jalandhar, Patna, Quilon and Debra Dun.
ASHOK FADTE
when it won the Bandodkar Gold trophy under the guidance ~ PeterThangaraj in 1975. He also played for Sesa Goa, Salgaoc~ and MRF. Ashok represented Goa in 1983 and donned the Indil colours when he was with Sesa. He scored MRF''s The playmaker who excelled for Guardian Angel, Sanvordern
was the highest paid footballer in Goa at a time when''he donn the Sesa Goa colours. He showed promise as an attacking h~ while with Guardian Angel and played even better for match winna against Dempo in the 1989 Super league championship and thr victory enabled MRF to become Goa champion for the first time.
JOSEPH MACHADO
Tall and well built, Machado started his career as forw. with GoaPolice in 1970.
He excelled for them in the Police Cup tournament the season and scored some magnificent goals with powerful shooting. He joined Dempo in 1971 and began to play in rnidfiel~ later on.
Dempo adopted the 4- 3- 3 system of play when Bob Bootl took over as the coach and Machado played a vital role in th~ scheme. He captained Goa in the National at Cuttack and donne India colours before joining East Bengal in 1979. Machado m his debut in the Nationals at Madras in 1971.
Tall and slim Leopold was a good performer in the rnidfielill His performances for Don Bosco Oratory in the First Divisio league helped him join Dempo in 1974. He dealt with opponen coolly and effectively to release precise passes to his forwarlLeopold was a member of Dempo Sports Club, which won the Rovers Cup in 1975, and ended his career with Salgaocar Sports Club
The dimunitive medio from Mapusa Youth was well known for his tenacious and dashing approach to the game. He was never overawed by the reputation of the rivals. Felix played for Panvel and Dempo before joining Bank of India, Bombay, in 1972. He was also involved in coaching school boys.The dimunitive medio from Mapusa Youth was well known for his tenacious and dashing approach to the game. He was never overawed by the reputation of the rivals. Felix played for Panvel and Dempo before joining Bank of India, Bombay, in 1972. He was also involved in coaching school boys.
ARNOLD RODRIGUES
The dynamic midfielder made an impressive showing for Panvel before joining Salgaocar in 1975. Arnold had the ability to take a .sudden shot and this enhanced his value to the team. He netted a goal for Salgaocar against fancied East Bengal in the 1981 Federation Cup tournament and Salgaocar scored a convincing 1-0 win to qualify for the semi-fmal which they lost to Mafatlal after taking a 1-0 lead in the first leg. Arnold gave a spectacular display for Goa in the 1984 National Championship which Goa won against Punjab and was adjudged the best player.
LAWRENCE GOMES
This fine ball player, with an impressive style, has been one of the outstanding midfield player for Salgaocar ever since he joined them from MPT. Lawrence led the India team in the Asian Youth championship at Kathmandu and was promoted to the senior India team. Like Maurice, Arnold and Savio, Lawrence has also distinguished himself as a scorer, netting a number of goals for Salgaocar. He scored a brace in the second leg semi¬final of the 1988 Sait Nagjee tournament against JCT. Salgaocar went on to win the final against Dhaka Mohammedans from Bangladesh. Lawrence led Salgaocar in the 14th Federation Cup tournament at Thrissoor and netted Salgaocar''s third goal in extra time, which incidentally proved to be the match winner against East B~ngal, earning it an entry into the final for the fourth consecutive year. Salgaocar however, lost the final to Kerala Police and thereby missed the hat-trick for wins in the Federation Cup. Lawrence made his debut in the 1985 National at Debra Dun.
Tall and well built, Savio is the nephew of the former Vasco defender, Joaquim Fernandes. He demonstrated his talent whil
playing for Salcete and became an international with Salgaocar. He has represented both Junior and senior India teams. Savio, who hails from Fatorda, played for India in the 1989 Nehru Gold Cup international tournament held at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. He scored Salgaocar''s match-winner with a spectacular shot in the 1988 Sait Nagjee final against Dhaka Mohammedans and also scored a goal for it in the 1990 Federation Cup semi-final against East Bengal. Savio''s first appearance in the National was at Calcutta in 1987.
ADIB KENKRE
The diminutive player from Panvel was well known for his football artistry and dedication to the game. After becoming a graduate in Science in 1970, Adib started playing for Panvel till 1973. He played a clean game and had come close to fmding a place in the Goa team for 1972 National held in Goa. He joined Central Railways, Bombay, in 1973.
LECTOR MASCARENHAS
A product of Salcete Football Club, the skillful centre half played for Dempo from 1980 to 1988. He had assisted Salgaocar before joining Dempo and had scored for them in the 1981
Bandodkar final which they won 3-0 against Vasco. Lector was a member of the Goa team that won the 18th Junior National Championship at Cochin in 1982. He had scored two goals
against Rajasthan, who lost to Goa 0-7. He was also a member of the Goa team that won the Santosh trophy at Madras in 1984. Lector played in the Nationals atJabalpur (1986), Calcutta (1987) and Quilon (1988). He scored Dempo''s match winner against holders Mohammedan Sporting in the quarter final league match of the 1988 Rovers Cup tournament.
THOMAS KUSHBOO
The hard-working and skilful player was one of the key members of the Goa team that won the Santosh trophy in the 1990 National at Margao. He also scored Goa''s second goal in the final against Kerala.
Kushboo had scored for Dempo in the quarter final league match of the 1988 DCM tournament against Mohammedans which Dempo won, 2-1, getting their second goal through Dionisio. He also assisted Goa in the 1991 National at Palakkad and played for India in the Pre-Olympic series at Hyderabad. Kushboo joined Mohun Bagan for the 1992-93 season.
AGNELO PINTO
The hard-working and talented playmaker from Siridao performed well for Sesa Goa. Pinto never spared any effort for the benefit of the side. He scored on a number of occasions. He tackled firmly and was good at distribution. His game had a competitive aspect and he moved with speed.
VALENTINO FERNANDES
The skillful medio represented Goa Nationals from 1979 to 1983. Diminutive Valentine had the ability to perform well in the midfield and he had assisted Salgaocar before joining Dempo. He initiated the moves with speed and played a sensible game.
JULES ALBERTO
Carmona-born Jules Alberto Dias was more identified as late Joaquim Fernandes'' nephew or Savio Medeira''s cousin, rather than for his football as Salgaocar Sports Club''s schemer. He carried this tag for quite some time. But not any more. One good season, a National berth for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup and the tables turned completely. Soccer critics who once ridiculed his playing abilities had to eat their words. He is the cynosure of many coaches and managers. At a time when much-hyped and much-expected players failed, Jules entered almost unobtrusively and filled in the gap admirably. His rise to fame was in the 1999 SAFF Cup in Goa where he was the pick of the lot of the India team. He carried his splendid form in the Chennai Nationals, where Goa lost in the finals against Bengal. Jules started his career with MPT and after two memorable seasons with the port team switched allegiance to Salgaocar and has been with them till date.
True to the tradition of Sashtikars who have made a name for themselves in football, Denis Cabral, too got his first break with Sa1cete Football Club, being chosen from a field strength of around 75. Since then he has apparently been jumping from one club to another every alternate year. Barring Churchill Brothers Sports Club, Denis has donned colours for almost every respected club in the State, having played for Sa1cete FC (1992¬94), Dempo Sports Club (1994-95), MPT Sports Council (1995¬97), Vasco Sports Club (1997-98) and finally Salgaocar Sports Club (1998-2000). The sparsely built midfielder excels with his quick thinking and applied intelligence in the midfield, not to mention his ability to take shots on the run. Denis was indevastating form in the DSP Pro League 1999-2000. He made up for the absence of Salgaocar stalwarts, Bruno Coutinho, Robert Fernandes and Jules Alberto who were doing National duty. Salgaocar however finished second behind Churchill Bros.
