Adil, Joyner’s signings boost Sporting Clube

Panaji: The intent of returning back among the elite of Indian football is clear from Sporting Clube de Goa.

One of the more attractive teams till a decade ago, Sporting Clube opted out of the top tier, protesting against the roadmap presented by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) who made Indian Super League (ISL) as the top tier.

Sporting were then in the I-League but without an avenue to qualify for ISL, the club didn’t see a point in continuing to spend big in the second tier. Now, with promotion to the ISL open on merit, they are clawing their way back.

They’ll start from the third division but made their intentions clear with the signings of Adil Khan and Joyner Lourenco, both experienced defenders.

The defensive pair rose from the ranks at Sporting, went to play in the I-League, ISL, even the national team and are now back where it all started.

“We thought it would be best to get our own players. Adil and Joyner both started their careers here and they belong here,” manager Angelo Albuquerque told TOI on Wednesday.

Late Peter Vaz, owner of Sporting, was among the foremost personalities who voiced concerns against the AIFF roadmap. He was backed by Dempo SC, who had just earned promotion from the Second Division, and Salgaocar FC. All three pulled out.

Since then, Churchill Brothers FC have been the only Goan representative in the I-League for six seasons.

Last season, Dempo took part in the Second Division but could not make a mark. Sporting were nominated by the Goa Football Association this season, along with Goa Professional League champions Dempo.

“The inclusion of the new, experienced players has boosted everyone’s confidence. It was not easy to convince them, but they were more than happy to return to the club when they made up their mind,” said Albuquerque.

Adil, now 35, joined Sporting in 2008 after graduating from Sesa FA.

He spent five seasons and was versatile as a centre-back and midfielder, before moving to Mohun Bagan. He then made his ISL debut with Delhi Dynamos in the inaugural season and has since then played for several clubs which includes Bharat FC, Lonestar Kashmir, Dempo, Churchill, Pune City FC, Hyderabad FC and East Bengal.

Meanwhile, 32-year-old Joyner was first signed by Sporting in 2010. The centre back has enough experience, having donned the colours of Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City, Jamshedpur FC, East Bengal and most recently Real Kashmir FC.

Sporting are clubbed in group A of the third division, along with Lake City FC, International FC of Phagwara, New Friends Club Dantewada, Vatika FC and Diamond Harbour FC, at Bhopal.


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