Salgaocar FC promote three youngsters into next season's senior squad

Keeping with their own tradition, Goan side Salgaocar FC have decided to graduate three of their junior players – Albino Pereira, Rayman Fernandes, Anthony Cardozo – from their Under-20 team into the senior team next season.

These boys are the next in line from the Salgaocar grassroots program, which has seen players like Gilbert Oliveira, Anthony Barbosa, Keenan Almeida, Cajetan Fernandes, Godfrey Silva, Albino Gomes, Jos Joquim Vaz and Ashlon Oliveira make it into the first team and other Goan top level clubs.

The impressive performance of Albino Pereira, Rayman Fernandes and Anthony Cardozo during the Under-20 TACA Goa League has earned them a contract with the senior team. Salgaocar Head Coach Peter Vales was impressed by what he saw during the TACA Goa matches and quickly added these talented young footballers into his squad for next season.

Albino Pereira hails from Nuvem and was ecstatic on signing for the senior team. His speed and trickery make him a dangerous striker to mark, while having scored seven goals in the U20 league and tearing apart defences at will makes him a big, young prospect for Salgaocar’s.

Rayman Fernandes from Areal, has been with Salgaocar’s right from the age of 14 and has played a crucial role for SFC in midfield all through his age group career. He praised the Salgaocar FC Youth Development program for giving young Goan boys an opportunity to become a professional footballer. He may not be the biggest person around but his technique and set piece abilities make up for it. Having scored six goals in seven games from the midfield, he still believes that he needs to work harder everyday to keep improving.

Anthony Cardozo, a versatile defender like his Spanish idol Sergio Ramos, can play in the heart of defence, on the wings and when required also in midfield. Soft spoken Anthony was very delighted on moving into the senior team and praised the efforts of coach Joaquim Crasto, who spotted this talented youngster at the start of the U20 campaign. A very determined Anthony wanted to improve further and make most of the opportunities Salgaocar provides.