Durand Cup 2022: FC Goa begin title defence against Mohammedan Sporting SC

Third
time

This
will
be
the
third
time
that
the
Gaurs
are
participating
in
the
Durand
Cup,
coming
on
the
back
of
a
stellar
campaign
last
year
that
saw
them
remain
undefeated
throughout
the
tournament.

In
the
Durand
Cup
2021
finals
played
at
the
Vivekananda
Yuva
Bharati
Krirangan,
Edu
Bedia’s
105th-minute
strike
helped
the
Men
in
Orange
overcome
the
challenge
posed
by
Kolkata-based
Mohammedan
to
lay
their
hands
on
the
trophy
for
the
first
time.

Development
squad

Deggie
Cardozo,
the
head
coach
of
Goa’s
Durand
Cup
squad
is
upbeat
about
the
team’s
chances
in
the
competition.
“Our
players
have
trained
well
and
are
in
good
spirits.
They’re
aware
that
playing
in
the
prestigious
tournament
is
a
good
opportunity
for
them,
and
are
hence
keen
to
create
an
impact,”
he
told

FC
Goa
Media.

“Our
training
session
on
Monday
was
quite
fruitful.
The
whole
squad
worked
in
unison
and
we
were
able
to
discuss
some
key
areas
as
far
as
preparation
for
the
games
are
concerned.”

Boys
in
Orange

The
Boys
in
Orange,
coming
to
the
tournament
also
with
the
tag
of
the
defending
champions,
are
expected
to
play
out
their
campaign
opener
in
front
of
packed
stands.
Cardozo
added
that
this
serves
as
extra
motivation
for
the
team.
“We
aren’t
under
any
pressure.
Our
objectives
are
clear
–
be
the
best
versions
of
ourselves
and
try
to
get
the
trophy
back
home.
Playing
in
front
of
the
fans
would
inspire
us
more
and
help
us
remember
what
we’re
here
for,
and
we
look
forward
to
having
a
great
match
against
Mohammedan
SC,”
he
commented.

“We
intend
to
take
the
three
points
home
as
that’ll
give
us
an
added
boost.
Starting
on
a
strong
note
is
important,
as
it’ll
set
the
tone
for
the
rest
of
our
campaign.”

Good
start

Lesly
Rebello,
the
team
captain
shared
the
coach’s
views,
“We
would
love
to
defend
our
title.
Keeping
that
objective
in
mind,
we’ve
been
giving
it
our
all
in
training
and
hence
we
hope
to
have
a
good
set
of
games.”

“Another
thing
that
I
look
forward
to
is
playing
in
front
of
the
fans.
As
a
footballer,
you
dream
of
such
situations.
We
intend
to
make
the
most
out
of
the
opportunity
and
convert
their
presence
to
a
motivating
factor
that’ll
help
us
go
the
extra
mile
for
a
win
and
three
points,”
the
22-year-old
added.