Each forward has in own style of scoring. Some dribble and make spaces to score; some have power in their shot that breeze past the best goalkeepers; some just put the ball in when they are within their scoring range. Plainly, a striker scores.
The seventies was initially a season when Francis D’Souza captivated many with his abilities. He was known as ‘ matari’ ( old lady in Konkani) and was the lady who few could stop from scoring when he was in his elements.
He was the first Goan to sign for a club from Kolkata and his going to the Mecca of football helped unearth the talent of Camilo Gonsalves who history may well remember as one of the best strikers to have donned the jersey of Dempo Sports Club.
Camilo was known as the crab from Agassaim- when he started scoring; there were few goalkeepers or teams that could stop him. He not only had power in his legs but knew to pre-empt the thoughts of his midfielders during the game. No a great dribbler but a fantastic finisher.
Camilo started football with Salgaocar Sports Club. He was picked up by Henry Britto , who was claimed to be a great midfielder in his playing days, and subsequently coached by Shanmaughan. “Shanmaughan was the man who opened my eyes to a professional way of treating football. He laid emphasis on the physical and mental aspects of the games. He used many drills. Though I trained with him for only a year, I think he was my first and one of the best,” admits Camilo.
“ I played for Salgaocar for a year and it was that time that Francis left the team to go and play in Kolkata. I was called in by Ratnam and did not leave Dempo ,” admits Camilo. Camilo is part of the backroom staff of Dempo Sports Club now.
From 1981 till 1998-in his seventeen years with Dempo, Camilo not only helped the team win numerous trophies but helped swell the fan following of the club. He was the hero from Ilhas who had a solid footing in the South. If Dempo had not won it was because Camilo was injured and therefore not played. Such was his sway over the club in the seventeen years he spent as player.
“ I remember the days when I used to be injured and coach Ratnam used to come to me and say come on Camilo, dress up and play. It never annoyed me. It always encouraged me to do better because I knew that at the end of the day he cared for me,” recollects Camilo smilingly.
“Things are different now. In those days we were like tigers. Football used to light the fire in us. It was just not me but all of us. All eleven used to play like tigers and that is why were invincible. It is different with the players these days. They do not have the attitude to play and I think this is one of the main problems facing football in Goa today,” says Camilo.
During Camilo’s days, records were not maintained. However, there could be one record he may have – of being the highest goal scorer of the Bandodkar Gold Cup. Dempo won the Bandodkar Gold Cup eight times when he played and he scored not only in all the finals but in most of the games.
During Camilo’s days, many goals were results of through balls where the striker needed the mind to anticipate and speed to chase the ball and break free from opponents. Camilo could do both with élan.
Camilo was selected to play for the Santosh Trophy in 1980 and captained Goa in 1987. He first played for India in 1983 and scored four goals for India in the seven years he played for the country – 1983 till 1989.
Camilo was part of Dempo when the midfield was bolstered by players like Mauricio, Armando and Machado .His last game was at the Nehru stadium in Fatorda. “When there was no football I used to play badminton or volleyball. I used to be involved in some sport or the other. It is different now.” says Camilo.
“There is a change in mental attitude of the players these days and I think this is the main problem,’ thinks Camilo.” If there is no game, players are seen playing with their phones. Fortunately, these phones did not exist in our times and even if they did, I am sure for us football would have been more important. There is a change in the mindset of players. There are too many distractions that today’s players fall prey to. This has to change,” avers Camilo.