The 11thedition of Indian Super League (ISL) has begun just a couple of weeksago.
Ever since the ISL startedin 2014, at least more than 50 Goan players have participated in thecountry’s premier franchise-based football tournament. Although FCGoa has done well as a team by finishing runners-up twice andreaching the semi-finals on five occasions, it consists of very fewGoan players.
Let’s try to find out howwould an all-time Goa XI side consisting entirely of Goan playerslook like in ISL.
Albino Gomes (Goalkeeper)
Albino started playingfootball at the age of 12. Beginning his football career withSalgaocar, he later moved on to other clubs like Mumbai City FC,Aizwal FC, Delhi Dynamos, Odisha FC, Kerala Blasters, ChurchillBrothers, Sreenidi Deccan and Jamshedpur FC.
An experienced goalkeeper,Albino played an important role in helping Aizwal FC bag their maidenI-League title during 2016-17 season. Playing for Aizwal, Albino kepteight clean sheets in eighteen appearances.
With an impressive sevensheets, Gomes also played a vital role in Sreenidi Deccan finishingrunners-up during I-League 2022-23.
Seriton Fernandes(Defender)
Seriton is the backbone ofFC Goa defence having made 110 appearances for the Gaurs since2017-18 season. The former Churchill Brothers full back was a keymember of the Sergio Lobera side when Goa won the Super Cup as wellas the League Winners’ Shield in 2019. He was also very impressiveduring Goa’s debut campaign in the AFC Champions League in 2021.
Seriton can also be creditedfor grooming a new crop of youngsters into the FC Goa squad.
Joyner Laurenco(Defender)
Beginning his career with alocal club Goa Velha, Joyner represented Sporting Club de Goa in 35matches during seven seasons of I-League.
A consistent starter, Joynerhas also made 34 appearances in ISL for various clubs such as MumbaiCity, Jamshedpur FC and East Bengal.
Joyner has even played forBengaluru FC during AFC Cup in 2018 and Indian team during 2014 AsianGames.
Adil Khan (Defender)
A versatile and highlyexperienced defender, Adil Khan is known for his versatility and goodunderstanding of the game. A no-nonsense defender, Adil is verystrong at the back and dependable on the ball.
The India international whois a crowd favourite among Goan football fans made his debut withSporting Club de Goa in I-League. In ISL, he has represented variousclubs such as Pune City, Hyderabad FC, FC Goa and East Bengal.
Mandar Rao Dessai(Defender)
The former captain of Goanfootball team, Mandar is regarded as one of the most successfulplayers in the Indian Super League (ISL), having won the league titlein 2021 with Mumbai City FC and three League Shields — one with FCGoa (2020) and two with Mumbai City (2021 and 2023).
He was also a key member ofboth Zico's and Lobera's FC Goa sides that finished as runners-up andhad appeared on 97 occasions for FC Goa during six seasons.
Mandar has also led the Goanside to gold during 2014 Lusofonia Games.
Lenny Rodrigues(Midfielder)
The central midfielderstarted his football career with Fransa-Pax before the club closeddown. Rodrigues then spent a year and a half with Salgaocar beforejoining Churchill Brothers where he represented them from 2008 -2014. While with Churchill Brothers, Rodrigues helped the club winthe I-League twice, one Federation Cup, and one Durand Cup.
Lenny has also made a goodimpression in ISL having made more than 100 appearances for variousclubs such as FC Goa, Mohun Bagan, Pune City, Odisha FC and HyderabadFC.
Glan Martins (Midfielder)
Martins who plays as adefensive midfielder, started his career at the SESA FootballAcademy. He then signed for Sporting Clube de Goa for their GoaProfessional League campaign and later represented them in I-Leaguefrom 2015-2019 and Churchill Brothers during 2019-20 season..
Martins has been a keymember of FC Goa and Mohun Bagan during ISL season having appeared on28 occasions for FC Goa and 8 times for Mohun Bagan.
During AFC Champions League2021, Martins played an important role in oppressing the bestattackers in the continent.
Rowlin Borges(Midfielder)
A defensive midfielder,Borges began his football career at the age of 14 with Fransa-Pax FC,from where he moved to Velsao Pale FC's academy after one year.
He then represented SportingClube de Goa in I-League on 58 occasions from 2011-16. In 2016,Borges made his ISL debut with North East FC which he represented forthree seasons.
Later, Borges played forMumbai City FC for four seasons and was one of the standout MumbaiCity players when they won the ISL title in 2020-21.
Brandon Fernandes(Midfielder)
An attacking mid fielder,Brandon has been the face of FC Goa from 2017-24 and a home crowdfavourite. A former captain, Brandon has undoubtedly, been one ofthe best players in ISL having appeared for FC Goa on 109 occasionsbut has now moved to Mumbai City FC during 2024-25 season.
The Margao-born lad, whostarted playing football at the age of six, has the versatility toplay in any midfield position and has a knack to pick a pass throughthe space between defenders.
His good understanding ofthe game and footballing skills has been well lauded by his peers.
Liston Colaco (Forward)
Liston, who plays as aforward in ISL is a product of Salgaocar Club and was the top scorerwith the club's under-19 side during the 2016–17 I-League U18 with16 goals.
He made his ISL debut withHyderabad FC in 2020 and later moved to Mohun Bagan in 2021 for arecord transfer fee.
A promising young player,Liston has also appeared for the Indian national team on 23 occasionsand also has a hat trick to his credit.
Devendra Murgaonkar(Forward)
Devendra who plays as aforward in ISL was a key member of FC Goa from 2020 -2024 beforemoving to Hyderabad FC during 2024-25 season.
His ability to play both onthe wings as well as a striker was an important asset for FC Goa forwhom he appeared on 46 occasions.
Devendra has also madeappearances in the AFC Champions League 2021, making vitalcontributions for the Gaurs.
