Leicester City U-14 to play soccer matches in Goa

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-10-02
PANAJI - Leicester City’s U-14 football team will arrive in Goa on October 19 to play a series of soccer matches against Guardian Angel HS and Goa U-15 as a part of their tie-up with the Goa Football Association, to help promote the game under the banner of Leicester India Football Link. 
Addressing a press conference at Arpora on Wednesday, the GFA secretary Mr Savio Messias disclosed that Leicester City Football Club would send their youth team to Goa for the first time to play shoulder to shoulder with the best in this soccer crazy state. “The team will arrive on October 19 and play three matches, during their week-long stay,” Mr Messias added.
Adding further, Mr Messias stated that the series of matches with Leicester City is being sponsored by Resorte Marinha Dourada and therefore the series would be known as the Resorte Marinha Dourada Series.
“The coaching staff of Leicester City team will also conduct a workshop for coaches,” Mr Messias added stating that coaches and physical education teachers could attend the same.
“The team will play the first match on October 20 against Guardian Angel School Sanvordem at Nehru stadium, Fatorda. We chose Guardian for being the champion school of Goa in U-14, which went on to participate in the Subroto Cup in New Delhi,” Mr Messias pointed out.
“After meeting Guardian, the visiting English club will play against the Goa U-15 team on October 22 at the Poriat grounds and two days later Leicester City will play against Goa at Duler stadium Mapusa with both matches set for a 4.30 p.m. kick off,” Mr Messias divulged.
The Goa U-15 team is presently playing in the sub-junior nationals in Punjab and are expected to return next week. “The same team will be retained for the Leicester ties,” Mr Messias added.
The Goan team is coached by Lino Pereira and comprises Shilton Fernandes, Flobert Monteiro, Albino Gomes, Jesmon Carvalho, Dario Rodrigues, Niall Cardoso, Raju Haldankar, Joy Dias, Estevan Mendes, Aleesh Sawant, Tunard Fernandes, Meldon D’Silva, Sheldon Rodrigues, Vikharam Singh, Lester Martins, Nickson Castanha, Brandon Fernandes, James Fernandes, Lyndon Cardoso and Quelan Fernandes.
Meanwhile, Leicester City is a home to many Asian players and a sprinkling of footballers from other nations. And, when they visit Goa it will be a kind of home coming for Pedro Godinho as he remains the only Goan-origin player in the team, whose roots are in Goa. Leicester City will be represented by Gullit Ali, Mason Brown, Kane Dilkes, Elliot Francis, Pedro Godinho, Mason Hirst, Mason Holdwell, Keval Karia, Jordan Kermode, Jacob Lescott, Aaron Mistry, Hulme-Roy Nugent, Rajan Panacer, Hiren Patel, Luke Rawle and Joseph Surridge.
“The Leicester India Football Link will be able to fund a scholarship scheme, enabling one U-14 player from Goa, who will be chosen by the Leicester City Football Club coaches to travel to Leicester, UK to train with the academy for a 2-week period. The chosen player will be hosted by Leicester City,” Mr Messias disclosed adding: “This is a great incentive for Goan youth development and young footballers can showcase their prowess and utilise such tie-ups to impress overseas talent spotters.”
The Leicester City home game against Millwall on September 13 saw the unveiling of the players who have been picked to travel to Goa in the Leicester India Football Link initiative.
The players were revealed to Leicester City fans by the Club Chairman, Mr Milan Mandaric, Chief Executive Mr Lee Hoos and local MP Mr Keith Vaz.
The sponsors of the initiative were hosted at the game and met with Mr Milan Mandaric and Chief Executive Mr Lee Hoos. The Link’s sponsors include local, national and international companies, many of whom will be travelling to support the team in Goa.
Mr Keith Vaz, MP in a statement said: “It was wonderful to reveal this hand picked team on the pitch at Leicester City Football Club. The players are so excited for the trip and were delighted to meet the Club Chairman Mr Milan Mandaric.”
“Many of the sponsors also attended and thoroughly enjoyed themselves,” Mr Vaz added.
Mr Menino Proenca Goes, Managing Director, Resorte Marinha Dourada and Mr Edwin Dias, General Manager were also present at the press briefing.