“I’m feeling privileged to be involved with the National Team. It’s a great honor for me and I’m excited about this opportunity. Throughout my career, I have always accepted newer challenges and I’ll take this on as well,” Pereira expressed on the sidelines of the ongoing preparatory camp in Goa.

“Since starting my coaching career with Vasco in the second division, I have always grabbed the opportunities that have come my way. I feel that is God’s plan for me.”

Pereira, who was at the helm of Vasco Sports Club during 2000-05 before switching to Mahindra United Club, has taken up the charge of India U-23 National Team before the U-23 continental championship qualifiers which will be held in Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Pereira lauded the former coach Stephen Constantine’s philosophy of “building the team for future” too, “That’s the way we should follow to go one step up. Our youngsters are enough talented but they need proper exposure against tougher teams. There must be a long-term plan for the future.”

He added, “Even our senior team have gelled so well because they know each other well. They understand each other well. It takes time but we need to focus on that. We have to give them time and most importantly, believe in the players.”

Apart from Anirudh Thapa, who scored a sublime goal against Thailand, Vinit Rai and Sarthak Golui were also part of the 23-member squad that represented the country in AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

On being asked how valuable would be these players for this upcoming competition, the 56-year-old coach mentioned, “Experience always counts. Yes, they have been with the senior team for the considerable time and they would bring in the much-needed experience to guide the young boys.”

He, along with assistant coach Venkatesh Shanmugam are now focused to find the right combination as soon as possible so that they can start planning around the players before the qualifiers.

“We have to finalize the final squad out of the players available. Then, we would need to frame the starting XI as well as the replacements. We have to improve tactically as well as technically. Simultaneously, we would look to adapt to the style of football which will help us develop as a team as well as get the best possible result.”

India will travel to Tashkent to lock horns with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the Group F of the AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers scheduled between March 22 and 24, 2019.

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Also Read: When life came full circle for Pereira at Tilak Maidan!

Also Read: Old brigade re-unite as India seek maiden AFC U-23 Championship berth

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Newly-appointed India U-23 National Team coach Derrick Pereira has a coincidental but fascinating connection with the Tilak Maidan in Goa where the youngsters are preparing for the forthcoming AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers.

The 56-year-old coach started his playing career with Mangor Sports Club (Vasco) when he was just 15 years old. After playing for the Vasco-based club for two years, he got a call-up from Mundvel Club who were regulars in the Goa Senior Division League.

Within one year, Pereira got his first professional contract from none other than Salgaocar FC before he blew out the 18th year candle. Thereafter, he got his coaching credentials and now has been appointed as the U-23 Head Coach, one can only wonder the importance of Tilak Maidan in his life.

“Even I couldn’t believe it first when I came to know that practice sessions will be held at the Tilak Maidan for this camp. My professional playing career started here, even my first coaching (National stage) session I took here and now our first National team assignment too. It’s a nice coincidence, I must say and I’ll relive it always,” Pereira shared with www.the-aiff.com.

“After playing for Mangor and Mundvel for three years, it was really great, especially, for a 17-year-old boy like me to get a contract from Salgaocar. During the days in Mangor, we used to play at the Tilak Maidan only,” Pereira recalled.

On being asked about his first match, he rattled, “It was in January 1981 and the match was against Vasco. I was a little nervous thinking about playing at the Tilak Maidan again, that too against Vasco. Unfortunately, I miscalculated an aerial ball in the 10th minute and got a deep cut on my forehead. Coach didn’t think twice to replace me.”

After hanging his boots in 1999, he started assisting Norbert Gonsalves who was the coach of Salgaocar U-19 team. Then, after a short stint with the Goa U-21 team as the team manager, he was offered the coaching role of Vasco Sports Club. And from there, as they say, the rest is history.

“I say, it was nothing but God’s plan for me. Peter Vales took me as the team manager to Dumka (Jharkhand) with the Goa U-21 team. After coming back, Vasco offered me to coach their team for a week. I didn’t think twice before saying yes and there started my coaching career, that too at the very Tilak Maidan,” Pereira took a walk down the memory lane gleefully.

After qualifying for the National Football League from the Second Division in the 2000-01 season, Pereira continued with Vasco Sports Club for 5 years before taking up the reins of the star-studded Mahindra United Club in 2005. 19 years after starting his coaching career, the former international defender has been provided with his first-ever national team assignment to take the U-23 boys to the first-ever continental championship finals.

“After 15-20 years, it’ll be an interesting tale to share with my grandchildren, I must say”, Pereira said while he burst out in laughter, “Probably, it was something which God had planned for me beforehand. I have grown at this ground and now, it’s great to have the training sessions here before the Asian Championship.”

The India U-23 contingent will play a friendly match against Qatar U-23 National Team in Doha on March 11, 2019.

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Also Read: Old brigade re-unite as India seek maiden AFC U-23 Championship berth

Also Read: Indian U-17 World Cup star to train at English Championship side Blackburn Rovers

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The post When life came full circle for Pereira at Tilak Maidan! appeared first on Football Counter.

Back to 1997, Derrick Pereira and Venkatesh Shanmugam had been two of the pivotal members of the Salgaocar FC squad who won the Federation Cup overpowering East Bengal at their den, Salt Lake Stadium.

Fast forward 8 years, the same Venkatesh, who is fondly known as Venky was playing under the stewardship of the same Derrick Pereira in the star-studded Mahindra United club who had tasted every single silverware in India during their era. In 2008, they reunited once again in Pune FC before Venkatesh hung his boots in 2014.

“Venky was someone who had always contributed to the team and I really liked his style and game reading. He was an intelligent player throughout.”

Cut to 2019, these two football masterminds have joined hands together once again, but for a different purpose, for a different cause.

As the All India Football Federation has handed Derrick Pereira the daunting task of sailing India to their first-ever AFC U-23 Championship in history, no one could have been the most suitable football mind to share his acumen than the former National skipper Venkatesh Shanmugam.

“Now that both of us are together, we feel we’ll be complementing each other. Venky brings in a huge experience of working with Stephen Constantine which has helped him evolve as a coach with time. Given the circumstances, I’m sure we’ll enjoy the journey ahead”, Pereira stated.

“I still remember the Federation Cup win for Salgaocar FC, beating East Bengal in Kolkata was not easy and we felt like being at the top of the world. We have come a long way since then and now we have reunited once again”, Venkatesh commented.

Venkatesh added further, “Derrick Sir had accomplished a lot as a coach and as far as I know him, I feel it’ll be a great opportunity for these young boys to learn from this great football mind.”

On the other hand, goalkeeping coach Gumpe Rime had also plied his trade under Pereira in Vasco for a year (2000-01).

Pereira recalled, “Gumpe was a really tough goalkeeper and he was always eager to learn. Unfortunately, an injury cut short his time in Vasco and we brought in Rogerio Ramos. It’s great to work with him once again”.

Incidentally, Rogerio Ramos happened to be the former goalkeeping coach for India National Team for the last four years (2015-19).

“It’s my second stint with National Team setup and I am privileged to get this opportunity once again. Derrick Sir is someone who I always had high regards for and I can’t wait to start working with him as well as the young promising goalies”, Rime added too.

India are pitted against hosts Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan in the AFC U-23 Championship 2020 qualifiers which is scheduled at Tashkent between March 22 and 26, 2019.

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Also Read: Indian U-17 World Cup star to train at English Championship side Blackburn Rovers

Also Read:INDIA U-23 NATIONAL TEAM CAMP KICKS-OFF IN GOA

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In a keenly fought out game, FC Goa got their game going on home ground with Robert Pires as captain. Both team had a number of chances to take the lead but the first half ended 0-0. FC Goa players strung a number of passes around the field to the delight of the fans that filled up the west stand.

In the second half FC Goa came out with the sole aim of winning this game and remaining undefeated. And the aim was fulfilled when FC Goa’s marquee player Robert Pires was brought down in the penalty box in the 58^th minute of play. The fans were delighted as Pires opened his account for FC Goa with a superb spot kick. Vasco SC played out their hearts and also got the fans cheering as the game came to a close.

Said Manager and Chief Coach Zico post the match, “We wanted to play at the same time as when the matches will be held to familiarize ourselves to the prevailing conditions on the field. Vasco Sports Club played well. We had a few opportunities but didn’t convert them. But the team is shaping up well with new additions like Ranti Martins and Narayan Das getting game time today.”

Added co owner Shrinivas Dempo, “FC Goa was very much in control of the game. The team looks fit and charged. We look set for the league”.

Ahead of ISL, which will begin on October 12, the franchise teams have been playing friendly matches with various football clubs. In its first friendly match played some days ago FC Goa triumphed over Sesa Football Academy by a margin of 3 goals (Score 3-0) and scored a win against the India national U-19 team with a score of 4-0.

Zico has begun putting the FC Goa lads through the motions at team training sessions and is gearing for the first season of the ISL.

FC Goa will play their first ISL match against Chennaiyans FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao on October 15, 2014.

The post FC Goa remains undefeated in pre-season friendly. Wins opposite Vasco Sports Club with a 1-0 margin appeared first on Football Counter.

Ahead of ISL, which will begin on October 12, the franchise teams have been playing friendly matches with various football clubs. In its earlier friendly matches played some days ago FC Goa triumphed over Sesa Football Academy by a margin of 3 goals (Score 3-0) and scored a win against the India national U-19 team with a score of 4-0.

FC Goa players training at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa,

FC Goa’s marquee coach, Brazilian legend and three-time World Cupper Arthur Antunes Coimbra fondly known as Zico has been putting the FC Goa squad through a rigorous training schedule and is gearing up for the first season of the ISL.

FC Goa recently roped in two of Dempo SC’s foreign imports – Australian Tolgay Ozbey and Haroon Amiri of Afghanistan – for the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL). Former Dempo player Ranty Martins presently with East Bengal has also been selected by FC Goa to be part of the squad weeks before the start of the ISL. Forrmer Arsenal and Brazil international player Andre Santos is expected to join the squad shortly.

FC Goa, one of the eight teams to compete in the 2014 Hero Indian Super League (ISL) to be held between October and December has already established a significant fan base. Fans, both young and old, are rooting for the team from Goa

The post FC Goa to take on Vasco Sports Club at a friendly match this Thursday at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda appeared first on Football Counter.