The FC Goa U-14 team have so far registered three wins in three matches in the 2015/16 Goa Football Association GFA U-14 League.
The preparations for the competition started as early as August with practice matches against Mumbai’s Young Champs Academy, Sporting Clube de Goa and Salgaocar FC, all of which FC Goa won 2-0, 2-0 and 1-0 respectively.
Among the five groups in the tournament, FC Goa form part of Group D alongside Dempo Sports Club, Sporting Clube de Goa, Fr. Agnel Youth Club-Pilar, Portais Sporting Club, Cabesa Sports & Cultural Club, Ponda Footballers, Don Bosco Oratory-Panjim and Goa Velha Sports Club.
FC Goa’s competitive journey began with a 7-0 win over Ponda Footballers on October 2 and returning from the examination break Gavin Araujo’s boys handed a 13-0 thrashing to the Don Bosco Oratory team last Sunday, leading 6-0 at half-time.
With the 3-1 victory over Sporting Clube de Goa on Thursday, FC Goa have accumulated nine points from three matches while only Dempo Sports Club more points (12) in the group but having played an additional fixture.
Speaking of the team’s progress, FC Goa U-14 coach Gavin Araujo commented, “I think qualification after yesterday’s (Thursday) match is a possibility and the boys have done very well since the time we started out preparations in August.”
“It’s more encouraging for us as each and every boy has come from our [FC Goa grassroots development] programme which was started way back in February. So we can see that our efforts are paying off in terms of recognising and developing talent.”
With another five matches in the single-leg round robin phase, the FC Goa U-14 team face Goa Velha Sports Club next on Wednesday, November 18, at 16.15 IST at the Santa Cruz Ground.
The Young Gaurs, who are currently unbeaten, will also be treated with an opportunity to meet their stars in the Indian Super League (ISL) at one of the FC Goa senior team’s training sessions at the Tilak Maidan on November 15.
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