Dempo Sports Club has decided to give more flight to its Golden Eagle and add more colour to the Goa Professional League with the addition of two more Indian Super League (ISL) players – left back Fulganco Cardozo and goalkeeper Luis Barreto- to its lineup.
Fulganco Cardozo was part of the winning Chennaiyin FC team in 2017 who was dropped due to cost cutting last season. Fulganco was part of the India team under former coach Stephen Constantine. He scored a goal on his debut.
Unlike, some players from Goa, who retire from football or choose different paths, after being dropped by ISL teams, Fulganco joined Santa Cruz Club of Cavellosim which is playing in the GFA First Division League to “keep himself match fit.”
“I am young and understand the reasons why I was dropped by Chennaiyin FC. That did not mean that was the end of my career. I know I will make a comeback and it is for this reason I kept playing competitive football with Cavelossim. I am happy; I got an opportunity to play with Dempo SC. I see this as a window to get back to the top league because Dempo SC gives a chance to all players to reach the highest level of football,” Fulganco told The Navhind Times.
With Jessel Carneiro joining Kerala Blasters – impressing and improving in every game of the ISL he has played so far – Fulganco is expected to feel in the gap created by the formers absence. “I cannot be another Jessel but I can definitely make his absence less felt,” said Fulganco.
Fulganco has the height, that Jessel does not have and both players have the ability to create play upfront; make good passes into the opponents box; and fall back to help the defense. Jessel was a dead ball specialist for Dempo and has continued with Kerala Blasters whilst Fulganco enjoys an aerial superiority.
“I am happy to have Fulganco. I am sure our fans are set for some more extra ordinary football with the addition of Fulganco and Luis,” stated Dempo SC coach Samir Naik.
Luis Barreto, initially played for FC Goa and later shifted to East Bengal from where he was on loan to ATK. The player from Canacona had agreed to sign for Dempo earlier but could not play as he was not getting the NOC to play, from his previous club, due to non settlement of dues.
Luis, however, approached the Players Committee of All India Football Federation (AIFF) and they intervened to get him the necessary permission. The inclusion of Luis will enable coach Samir to get over the unpredictability that set in the mind of goalkeeper Agnelo Gomes.
Agnelo started with butter fingers and through most of the games displayed an inability to hold on to long balls directed at him. This and his indecisiveness whether to come out for the ball left additional onus on the defenders.
“Agnelo is normally a good goalkeeper. I do not know why he started getting nervous and when he does, he finds it difficult to get back his composure,” stated Samir.
Dempo SC is leading the GFA Professional League and the team’s prime striker Joaquim Abranches shares the top goal scorer spot along with youngster Devendra Murgaonka of Salgaocar FC and foreigner Willis Plaza of Churchill Brothers FC. All three have scored five goals so far.
Joaquim has been doing the bulk of the scoring for Dempo SC and when he appears to be pegged down, Beevan D’mello takes over and the duo have not failed with goals. Youngsters Rajat Jarijan, Aman Govekar and Desmon Pereira have been feeding the supply chain for the team and are yet to start shooting at goal.
