BY MINOO FERNANDES
MARGAO: Goa has produced three top class coaches. In Armando Colaco and Savio Madeira, Goa has contributed two coaches who have served as national coaches. In Derrick Pereira, who is currently serving Pune FC in the I-League, has the same potential as the other two.
The trio interacted with The Navhind Times after the launch of the newly-formed Goa Football Coaches’ Association and affirmed that their driving motivation is to see that the country reaches greater heights in football as never before.
Excerpts: Savio Madeira
What is your main task as the India asst.coach under chief coach Wim Koevermans from Holland?
Having worked under Bob and Armando Colaco, I now have the opportunity to work under Wim, which is certainly good for me to enhance my knowledge and experience. I will now be better prepared and be rich in experience under these great coaches. If you ask me of my task I am prepared to multi-task and prepared to deliver whatever the new coach of India wants me to do.
How long is your new assignment?
The new assignment is for a year and then there is a possibility that I might think of joining a club, but it all depends upon the circumstances and how things move on. At this point of time, my assignment is to concentrate on coaching as per the schemes formulated by Koevermans.
What will be your focus as far as Team India is concerned?
Our focus will be to prepare the team well and be ready to take on any team.
What will be the kind of work assigned to you?
It all depends on the coach. I will do whatever he asks me to do and I am fully prepared and have the ability to accomplish any task that the coach wants me to do.
Which is the first major tournament the Indian team is now preparing for?
The Nehru Cup of course.
When will you be reporting with the India team as asst coach?
We are supposed to meet in Delhi on July 28 and everything will be set a couple of days later.
Derrick Pereira
Can you tell us whether Pune FC will be I-League title contenders this season?
Surely they will. Why not? My team has the potential to do it and we have good players too.
Yes, it is agreed that you have good players in your team, but can you tell me one good catch this year who can be counted upon in the conquest for the I-league title?
We have quite a number of players who are capable of winning us the title, but let me tell you that we have recruited James Moga this year who can be a threat to any top defenders in the country. You can expect a feast of goals from him this year.
What are your other possessions, any youngsters are promoted, like the Dempo SC team?
Surely, we have at least four of them and one of them is a Goan.
Armando Colaco
What are your plans for the new season?
We are gearing up and training very hard.
Any new recruits?
Yes, we have Sueoka and others. Koko Sakibo is reaching Goa tomorrow while Sueka is yet to get his visa.
Any youngsters in the team?
We have many of them and they are doing well.
