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I-League Club Analysis: Salgaocar Sports Club
Goal.com continues the analysis series by giving an insight on the I-League holders Salgaocar Sports Club.
15-Sep-2011 10:19:00 AM
By Kratik Malhotra
Salgaocar SC.
| LAST SEASON |
With most people having written them off right at the start of the season in the race for the I-League title following their poor showing in the Federation Cup, Salgaocar SC coached by Karim Bencherifa regrouped and put in some classy performances to be crowned the Indian champions for the first time in 12 years.
In their first game of the season, Salgaocar cruised to a 2-0 victory over Mumbai FC in the Federation Cup. A couple of games later though, they got thumped by Mohun Bagan 6-1 and crashed out of the tournament. After this pounding, they seemed to have learnt a lesson as they strolled to victory in their first four games of the I-League with Japanese attacking midfielder Ryuji Sueoka announcing himself as a key player in Karim Bencherifa’s plans.
Salgaocar Players Lift Bencherifa After Winning The I-League
However Karim Bencherifa's side regrouped and won their final three games, including a thriller against East Bengal where Salgaocar came from 2-0 down to win 3-2, to win their second league title.
| TRANSFERS |
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In: Presley Mascarenhas, Keenan Almeida, Roy Rodrigues, Aliston Fernandes, Godfrey Silva, Cliften Dias, Bobbychan Singh, Rosario Mendes, Nicolau Colaco, Augostinho Fernandes, Gagandeep Singh, Vivek Singh Kaira, Chidi Edeh, Ishfaq Ahmed, Biswajit Saha, Rahul Kumar, Randeep Singh, Balwant Singh, Vinay Singh, Thounaojam Dinesh Singh, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Elijah Obagbemiro Junior, Mohammad Dada Nabeel and Karthik Kisku. |
Outs: Arnab Das Sharma, Monotosh Ghosh, Syed Farid, Govin Moirangthem Singh, Khangembam Thoi Singh, Chinta Chandrashekar Rao, James Lukram Singh, Yakubu Yusif, Baldeep Singh, Singam Subash Singh, Jagdeep Singh and Eneke Ikenwa. |
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New Signing From Mohun Bagan - Edeh Chidi After Signing For Salgaocar |
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Salgaocar have signed as many as seven defenders: Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Gagandeep Singh, Balwant Singh, Vivek Kahaira, Augustin Fernandes, Nicolau Colaco and Rahul Kumar. The biggest signing in defence without a shadow of a doubt is of the former Indian international Mehraj. The majority of the midfield remains the same with quality additions of Ishfaq Ahmed and Biswajit Saha. Edeh Chidi is as good as anyone on his day while Junior Elijah - if he stays fit - could match the best in the business. The addition of Mohammed Dada Nabeel will add further depth to their strike force. |
Syed Farid, Thoi Singh and Govin Singh have all left for Bhaichung Bhutia’s Sikkim United FC but Salgaocar have played smart and got in more than able replacements for the defensive trio. In the midfield, Subhash Singh, who was on loan to Pune FC last season has made his loan move permanent to Derrick Pereira's side. Yusif Yakubu is yet another player who has left Salgaocar for Prayag United and thus Chidi has a lot of responsiblity to fill the gap left behind by the departure of the veteran Ghanaian striker. |
| PRE-SEASON |
Salgaocar started their pre-season training rather early, on July 15 and tried out several strategies to enhance the performance of each of their players. They had a training camp on the Colva beach from July 29-August 12. This helped the players to know each other better and also gave fans a chance to see some of their favourite footballers train.
In an aid to protect his players against ‘banned substances’, Bencherifa also had an expert-dietician interacting with the players. The Moroccan has also made provisions for his players to undergo a ‘referee session’ and a session with the psychologist.
Pre-Season Training On The Beach
After these development activities, Salgaocar got down to some ‘real stuff’. They started where they had left off last year, with a good victory over Pune FC in Goa. However, they were beaten by Sporting Clube de Goa in the very next game in the Goa Super Cup, losing 5-4 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 in regulation time.
They soon got back to winning ways, cruising past the American Side Icon FC 2-0 at the Chowgule grounds, Margao, Goa. The Indian champions also recorded a hard fought 1-0 victory over Churchill Brothers to start with their Goa Pro Leaue campaign with a win.
| KEY PLAYERS |
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Karanjit Singh: Karanjit’s brilliant performances last season helped Salgaocar to the I-League crown and earned him a place in the Indian national squad. His performances in the World Cup qualifier against UAE gave him much deserved recognition. Karanjit would be aiming to at least repeat the consistency of last season, if not better it. |
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Luciano Sobrosa: Sobrosa was immense for Salgaocar last season as his solid displays at the heart of the central defence was instrumental in their league title triumph. Bencherifa's boys would once again rely heavily on the performances of the Brazilian center back. |
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Ryuji Sueoka: Sueoka is the creative mastermind of this Salgaocar side. His partership with Yakubu was unstoppable at times last season. Salgaocar would be hoping get a similar tally of goals from the Japanese and Sueoka must also quickly build up an understanding with Chidi and the other strikers in the squad. |
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Gilbert Oliveira: Gilbert was one of the many bright sparks for Salgaocar last season. His pace and ablity to score goals from the wings made a valuable member of the Goan club's title winning squad. Last term was Gilbert's break through campaign so there will be a lot more expectations of the youngster this season. |
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Edeh Chidi: Salgaocar's strike force will be largely dependent on Edeh Chidi. The Nigerian, who is the only player to score four goals in the famous East Bengal - Mohun Bagan derby, has his work cut out to replace the prolific Yakubu. If Salgaocar want to retain thier crown, Chidi will need to have a very good season. |
| COACH |
Karim Bencherifa is a Morrocan national and has won the I-League in his first full season with Salgaocar SC (2011). Apart from that, he has been credited with achievements such as managing the Moccocan club - Olympic Club Youssoufia to the Moroccan first division, winning the Carlsburg Cup with Floriana and lifting the Durand Cup with Churchill Brothers SC.
The 43-year old was also voted the coach of the year in Malta in 2001, in Singapore in 2004 & 2005, and in India in 2007 & 2008.
| TACTICS |
Karanjit Singh is going to be the first choice goalkeeper with Vinay Singh being his deputy. Salgaocar managed to retain their defensive core from last season in Jaspal Singh Parmar, Rino Anto and Luciano Sobrosa and the trio will form the back with Mehraj being Luciano's central defensive partner.Salgaocar have successfuly managed to retain their entire midfield from last season and that is why it is fair to say that once again their strength will be in the middle of the park.
Ryuji Sueoka is once again likely to be the playmaker, just behind the main striker. Chidi is the favourite to be that lone man upfront with Junior Elijah being quite a good replacement to have on the bench.
Much like last season, the Goan outfit is likely to operate in the 4-2-3-1 formation, which changes to 4-4-1-1 when they don't have possession.
How Do YOU Think Salgaocar Sports Club Will Fare This Season?
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