Player Analysis – Saviour Gama, Gaurs next big thing

by Gaurav Kadam October 9, 2020

Today’s footballing world has seen the steady rise of one particular defensive position – the modern fullback, and FC Goa have found their gem in none other than young Saviour Gama.

Saviour Gama is a left-back who has risen through the ranks of FC Goa’s Developmental Team to quickly make his mark moving up to the senior squad. He made his debut for the team in the 2018-19 Indian Super League season against Chennaiyin FC in a 1-0 win for the Gaurs. 

Along with the likes of fellow youngsters Liston Colaco, Mohammad Nawaz and Princeton Rebello, Gama became one of the four rising stars who made the jump from the developmental squad that won the Goa Football Association’s Professional League (GPL) in the 2018-19 season.

A crowning moment that cemented Gama as the next promising player for the Gaurs was his appearance in the 2018-19 Indian Super League final between FC Goa and Bengaluru FC. Due to an injury to captain Mandar Rao Dessai just before the half-time whistle, the 23-year-old had to come on for his second ever appearance for the team. 

He played his heart out managing to contain the threat of the dangerous BFC winger Udanta Singh throughout the course of the match and even launch a lot of attacking runs for the Gaurs.

After the heroics of ISL Final, it was in the subsequent Hero Super Cup where Gama got the opportunity to showcase his full talent. The youngsters started in all games replacing his injured skipper Mandar and displayed exemplary attitude in defence as Goa went on to lift their first ever title.

The left-back started out as a young player for local clubs and impressed for Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in the Taca Goa U-20 tournament, before signing his professional contract with Goan club FC Bardez in 2016. 

He was sent on loan to SESA Football Academy (SFA) before he gotselected in the trials conducted for FC Goa’s developmental squad. He continued to play for the Developmental Team, appearing in tournaments such as the AWES tournament, the Goa Pro League and the Durand Cup learning the ropes before being called to the senior squad. 

Last season, Gama had limited game time – featuring in only 11 matches and playing 188 minutes. He scored his only goal – in the first leg of the semi-final fixture against Chennaiyin FC. 

With the departure of former club captain Mandar Rao Dessai, Saviour Gama looks all set to make the left-back position his own and come through on the huge potential. The FC Goa management has already granted him a contract extension banking on his talent and he will aim to make their trust count and continue to deliver as the upcoming ISL season beckons.

Also Read: Ishan Pandita: I will let my play do the talking

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