Vasco Sports Club likely to feature in I-League Qualifiers

The tournament is set to be organized in September in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Goa-based Vasco Sports Club are all set to return to the national football scene. Khel Now can exclusively confirm that they have requested the state association (GFA) to nominate them for the upcoming I- League Qualifiers (Second Division League).

Earlier, Goa Professional League (GPL) 2020-21 champions Sporting Clube de Goa had also shown interest to participate in the I-league Qualifiers, but they backed out in the last moment.

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Although Goa used to have multiple representatives in several top-tier competitions of Indian football in the previous decade, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has informed state associations that only one club will participate from each state this time, in the qualifying competition for the I-League. As things stand, the baton from Goa is likely to be passed down to Vasco SC.

The situation so far

Sporting Clube de Goa, along with Dempo SC and Salgaocar FC had withdrawn from the I-League in 2016. This was due to uncertainty over the future roadmap of Indian Football. Although FC Goa's development team have been a part of Second Division League in the last four seasons, they cannot be promoted.

Dempo SC were the last club from the state to play in the I-League in the 2015-16 season. They had earned promotion to the league in the same season, after suffering a relegation in the previous campaign. Sporting made their debut in the top flight of Indian football in 2002-03, when they participated in the erstwhile National Football League (NFL). They also managed to secure promotion to the NFL by winning the Second Division title in their debut season.

Later, they became a part of the Second Division League once again in the 2010-11 season. They returned to the I-League the following year, after winning the lower division title once again.

The withdrawal of top Goan clubs from the I-League had hit the state as well as the I-League unexpectedly. This has resulted in a drastic decrease in the numbers of Goan players in the national leagues and the Indian football team.

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However, the forthcoming move from Vasco Sports Club to return to the national circuit will boost the future of the game in the state. One can expect the coastal state to return to their glory days in the near future, as far as Indian football is concerned.

As of now, Churchill Brothers are the only club from Goa playing in the I-League. Vasco SC's entry into the I-League Qualifiers will give hopes for the local fans to see multiple teams once again in the league.

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