THE GREAT BRAZILIAN FOOTBALLER, THE LATE DR. SOCRATES.

Seen in the first photo Socrates and on the second photo he is seen with team mate Zico.

With deep sorrow I received the sad news of the sad death of one of the greatest footballers the world has ever produced, that is the death of Brazilian footballer Dr. Socrates, on 4th of this month. He was the captain of the Brazilian squad of 1982 – the most beautiful team that Brazil has ever fielded, even better than the 1970 Brazilian squad where Pele played the dominant role in helping Brazil to win the World Cup for Brazil for the Third Time.

Normally great personalities and celebrities are afflicted with some kind of vices and sportsmen are more afflicted with certain vices. Footballers all around the globe are many times become victims of such vices namely excessive drinks, rampant sex and drugs. Excessive drinks are the most common vice many of the footballers got affected and Dr. Socrates the world renowned soccer player was not an exception.

Earlier his compatriot the great Garrincha who played with Pele in three World Cup Finals starting from 1958 finally died of excessive drinking habit. Garrincha was such a fantastic footballer with his bended legs he could score goals from any angle. According to some soccer pundits he was very much equal to Pele, if not better than Pele.

The great West German Gerd Mueller known as Bomber because of his powerful right footed shots and played for West German squads first in 1970 World Cup when he won the highest goal scoring award and also in 1974 when his team won the World Cup, was also affected by the vice of excessive drinks. So much so because of this excessive drinking habits, even his wife left him making him desperate in life till his 1974 skipper Franz Backenbeur came to his rescue.

Dr. Socrates had the habit of drinking and smoking while he was playing only while Garrinha and Mueller took to this vice after their retirement because they were desperate for money and honour which they missed after their retirement.

In Goa even during my time as a footballer I saw many of the once great footballers have destroyed their life and their family life also only when they took up to excessive drinking. So many of my colleagues who were great players succumbed to this vice at an early age only because they had no control over their bad habits and no proper guidance in life from the elders and men of wisdom.

Dr. Socrates was not the only Brazilian player having Medical Degree, earlier Dr. Tostao the inside right forward of 1970 World Cup winning Brazilian team also had Medical Degree.

Even in Goa during my time some doctors holding Medical Degrees were ace footballers, one of them was famous goal scorer for Academica’s Dr. Mazarello with whom I played when I started my soccer career in Goa. At least three of my colleagues in Xavier’s soccer team became Doctors and who were ace footballers at College level. They could not pursue further in this field because of their professional studies in medical science at Goa Medical College.

Dr. Socrates as a captain of Brazilian squad was called as Fidalgo – a sort of aristocrat – because of his status on and off the field. On the field because of his intelligent game and right commandership he wielded lot of power over his team mates who voluntarily gave their total allegiance to him. Earlier French Platini and West German Backenbeur enjoyed such aristocrat status on and off the field.

One of the reasons for 1982 Brazilian squad to gain such an exhaustive limelight was the cohesive role played from their midfield by their skipper Dr. Socrates. He was an attacking midfielder and because of his high I.Q. and over intelligence he could read the opponents game rightly and act accordingly. His especiality to backheel the ball to his colleague was something unseen before and after him. His defence splitting passes to his colleagues was very accurate and scoring goals from difficult angle was his speciality. The goal he scored against Italy in that most memorable game in the history of World Cup showed his genius of goal scoring, even Dino Zoff the Italian skipper under their bar was surprised to see the ball in the net, of course to his disappointment.

He was scoring goals but not making show of himself after scoring. He was during that time was the best Penalty taker in the world but to his surprise he missed the spot kick against France in crucial tie in the 1986 World Cup. Though he missed the kick but he was not disappointed and to justify this point, after the match he while briefing the newsmen said, “It is almost impossible to be accurate in kicking the ball after playing at top level 90 minutes of grueling soccer plus 30 minutes of agonizing extra time because in such a situation your body muscles do not work properly nor your mental capacity. Hence I have no regret for missing that important penalty though it was not intentional.

He was very particular of maintaining his mental and body conditioning in right frame before the match by secluding himself alone in his room. Thru this Yogic type of exercise he was attaining highest physical and mental level required for the big match.

He was not only a great footballer and top medical practitioner, but he was also a great lover of Democracy. He was the great admirer of French democrat and writer Voltaire. During the 1982 World Cup he played wearing a Headband with a slogan written there “I am for democracy” which was suffering in his country. He was a fearless man and having strong convictions in his principles.

Later stage he joined Italian club Fiorentina with a condition that Fiorentina allow him to pursue his medical studies in Italy specializing in Foot Injury.

The greatest game he played for Brazil was against Italy in 1982 when Italian Paulo Rossi’s hat-trick knocked mighty Brazilians captained by the mighty Dr. Socrates out of the competition. This match was called one of the best in the history of World Cup. This was such a fantastic Brasilian team that soccer pundits in the beginning itself predicted that this team will win the World Cup and hence it was called in advance the World Champion. The caliber of this team was such that even defenders were moving up field and scoring goals with ease. The defenders of this team were of such a superlative quality that they were as good dribblers as their forwards were.

What a fantastic forward line it had in Zico, Falcao, Eder and Serginho besides midfielders in Junior and Socrates? Will we ever get such a team again not only in Brazil but anywhere in the world? I doubt!! Major credit for forming such a wonderful outfit surely goes to their brainy team manager Tele Santana.

Speaking to one TV channel once, their midfielder of this team Junior said, “ask me any number of questions on this team, I will go on speaking and speaking, never getting tired. It is a pleasure to talk more and more of this dream team”.

Kuwait was televising all the matches that year but only this important match was not televised because the Referee of this match was a Jew. Since Arab boycott of Jews was in existence, Kuwait following this trend boycotted televising this game because of the Jew Referee.

May the soul of Dr. Socrates rest in peace and may God save all sportsmen from the vices such as of excessive smoking, excessive drinks, excessive sex and Drugs.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

LIFE IN THE VILLAGE - PART ONE.

Life In The Village - Part One.

Those Were The Glorious Days.

What was life in the village then ? I was just three years and thirty seven days old on the 19th December 1961 and was hardly in a position to know what life was before the so called liberation but from the time that I remember I know that my own and my village folks were very hard working, dedicated and honest people. These attributes were the mainstay of village life and the essence of every Goan village, “susegad” was never synonymous with Goans of yore as it is said to be today.

In my village there were lot of toddy tapers but they would also farm (paddy, onions, chilies, nasnne, vegetables etc) during the rainy season and kept themselves busy with fishing in between and after their taping chores. Many were sailors working on cargo ships, tankers and on passenger cruise lines but when on holidays they never stayed idle, they were always busy in their fields, properties, houses or fishing. The ladies too would finish their house chores and leaving their young children with their elders, would work at the mine that was operational then, and also work in the fields. Everyone in our village had their own bit of land to till along with a few coconut trees. People helped each other without having to pay for the services rendered. Farming was a collective effort repaid with collective help. Love for the neighbour and good will was the essence of the village life then although every now and then there use to be flare ups between people but then unite for a common cause.

Most of us as youngsters helped our parents in our fields, watering the coconut sapling, even carrying coconuts, paddy, jack-fruits and mangoes in sacks and baskets on our heads for a good distance, when we were home during our holidays, no doubt at that time we hated it, but did it for our parents without knowing that one day we would enjoy the fruits of our hard work. Almost every one in our village, kids, young and the old worked hard. We had no tap water and so had to carry water from the spring in copper pots. As kids we never shied away from the rotational responsibilities that were given to us by our parents. We did any kind of work, no one stayed idle and most of us were self-sufficient.

Most of our houses had mud walls and wooden roofs, with the thin curved tiles over our heads, the mud floors were covered with a paste of cow-dung for the distinct neat appearance. Our verandas were open during the summer and blocked with folding of palm leaves during the rains. Days were bright as enough light sipped through the few glass tiles on the roof and the open doors and windows but at night we huddled together in the dim light of the kerosene lamps, “petromax” was a luxury then. We had no electricity and no fans but still shared the warmth of our family members in winter and the cool sea breeze while we slept out in the verandas during summer, doors and windows were always open no matter what. We had our own fowls, pigs and sometimes a goat or a cow. Life was good even though we did not have the luxuries or the toys that today’s modern generation is blessed with.

We never had outsiders coming in to our village to sell fish or anything else, infact those days we never bought fish from outside, we just had to go fishing and the whole neighbourhood would have enough fish for the next few days as we always shared with our neighbours and relatives, we had no fridges then. We had one Goan “podder” who came walking from the next village early morning and sound of his horn would send us running to collect the “kundea bakreo” for our diabetic elders and sometimes when mom was busy and could not make our usual “chapattis”, “sulloleo” or “bakreo” would end up with “kanknnam” or “pau” the four cornered bread that were large and delicious, for breakfast.

Most of us were totally self-sufficient and only visited the cities to see doctors, visit relatives or an occasional visit to the government office or shopping for occasions. We never heard of thefts, murders or rapes. Those days we had to walk long distances for hours to avail a bus but people were healthy and rarely fell sick, even child births were handled by the local unqualified but experienced midwife (ojj-maim).

There were no motorcycles to go to our neighbour’s house, nor did we have TV’s to while away our time in the never ending “saas bahu” escapades. A few of us had the then famous Philips radios and the whole neighbourhood would gather to listen to the Konkani songs and plays. Every village had their own authentic and unique festive celebrations with people of all religions and status taking part in those celebrations. The villagers were always united in celebrations as well as tragedies. Village problems were solved by villagers themselves, no police or courts were involved and the harshest punishment was excommunication for a period of time.

Entertainment for our people was provided by the few plays and skits that were written and performed by our own, matches between the married and bachelors were keenly contested, so too the kabaddi contests between the married and unmarried ladies on festive occasions and the tug off war. We also use to have our annual sports day that would provide the thrills for all the young and the old. Football matches between neighbouring villages use to be hard fought as prestige of ones village use to be at stake. Every village pooled together to put forward a team or a tournament that displayed a lot of local talent and unity. Christmas carols, San Joao, carnival (Intruz) and the old man on 31st December, were occasions for our youth to make rounds of the neighbouring villages and display our talents and collect funds to organize programs in our villages. We surely did not need corrupt politicians to sponsor our festivities.

I am sure it was all a way of life in every village, before the life in the village changed drastically in the last three decades. Even though life was tough then, we were well and truly happy and when some of us had to leave for the boarding schools we were sad, not because we did not want to study but because we had to leave our base and every departure from home was like the cutting of the umbilical cord and even today the feeling has not changed. The sailor boys had their tall stories to tell when they were back from their year long voyages, the tapers had their own tales in history and the farmers and fishermen were not far behind in their windings. I am sure every village in Goa has a very similar tale to tell and a history to follow that’s why we say those were the glorious days.

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.

Navelim beat Maroons to lift Farewell & Friendship Cup

Footballers Terence and Jimmy accorded warm Farewell
By Gasper Crasto

Kuwait: Navelim YC beat Goa Maroons in the final to lift the Farewell & Friendship Cup Exhibition Football played at MOH ground, Shuwaikh on 2nd December 2011.

Goa Maroons, Kuwait Goan Association and Navelim YC participated in the 11-aside games played on a round robin league with the top two teams playing the final. The Exhibition games were specially organized by the 3 clubs to bid farewell to 2 great Indian footballers - Terence Carvalho of Goa Maroons and Jimmy Goveia of Kuwait Goan Associaton, leaving Kuwait for good.

In a rare gesture and a mark of high respect, Terence and Jimmy were fielded in Navelim colors to play against rival teams. Navelim who are celebrating 25 years of its existence in Kuwait are involved in hosting a series of friendly matches to inculcate friendship among the community.

The final was exciting as both teams, archrivals in Indian football in Kuwait, played attacking football. Navelim won in the tie-breaker after the match ended goalless. Navelim captain and goalkeeper Britto Pereira excelled throughout the tournament especially in penalty shoot-outs. Navelim team comprised of Britto Pereira, Wilson Pires, John Furtado, Alfred Pires, Victor Fernandes, Joaquim Rodrigues, Rayan Fernandes, Bernard Pires, Ivo Rodrigues, Aayan, Simao Gaonkar, Cruzedio Rodrigues, Terence Carvalho, Jimmy Goveia and Gasper Crasto. The team was managed by Avelino Dias.Earlier in the round robin league, Maroons beat Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) for a title clash with Navelim. Both Maroons and KGA fielded star players on their roster as well as a host of others. Stalwart goalkeeper Julio Cardoso guarded the goal for Maroons while well-known Maroons players James Figuira, Jerry Mello and Tony Correia were also present.

Glittering trophies were awarded to the winners while Terence and Jimmy were felicitated with special awards by KGA, Maroons and Navelim. Presidents of the 3 clubs Salvador Dias, Raymond D’Sa and Agnello A.S. Fernandes spoke on the occasion. The winner’s trophy was presented by Terence and Jimmy. Gasper Crasto conducted the proceedings.

Bidding goodbye after 17 glorious years in Kuwait, Terence Carvalho, a stalwart of Goa Maroons, will leave for Australia to join his wife and children already permanent residents Down Under. Of Goan origin, Terence lived most of his life in Mumbai where he started playing football for his school and went on to represent a few well-known clubs before coming to Kuwait.

A very quiet, modest person, Terry as he is fondly called, first arrived in Kuwait in the summer of 1993 to work for Al-Sawan Company, managing the Kuwait and Qatar Logistic operations. The much loved footballer will leave Kuwait on 5th December 2011.

Terry started his football career in Kuwait with Goan Overseas Association (Goa Maroons) and has shown his allegiance to the club despite lucrative offers to join other clubs.

A gifted midfielder with a strong personality and physical presence, Terry has been an anchor for the powerful Goa Maroons team and has gone on to win numerous trophies for the club, including captaining Maroons on many occasions.

Jimmy Goveia played for different clubs in Kuwait and is still in terrific form. Popularly known as Jimmy, the mercurial midfielder had first come to Kuwait as a 17 year old, 20 years back. Kuwait Goan Association President Salvador Dias said his club would dearly miss the footballer who has been a great encouragement to budding players. Jimmy is scheduled to leave Kuwait for England at the end of December.

JULIO CARDOSO IN PRAISE OF VERONICA'S ARTICLE ON GOAN SINGER BELINO AFONSO IN USA.

Hi Veronica,

Thanks for the nice informative article on Belino Afonso.

Julio Cardoso.