Internet Desk: The Goa Professional League 2016-17 is schedule to kick-off at the Duler Stadium tomorrow. A total of 11 teams will be fighting it out for the top prize in the competition which will be played on a home and away basis.
The league’s sponsors will be announced in a few days. GFA President Elvis Gomes said, “It is almost done; we are just waiting for final confirmation from them.”
Guardian Angel Sports Club and Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim will feature in the opening match, which is scheduled to be played tomorrow at 4:00 pm. Defending champions Sporting Clube de Goa will start the defence of their title when they take on Churchill Brothers SC on 23rd August.
FC Bardez Goa, the Succoro based powerhouse who are going to embark on their maiden season in the GPL will play their home matches at Duler Stadium, Mapusa. They will start their campaign against Salgaocar FC on 24 August.
Meanwhile Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao, winners of GFA First Division League 2015-16, are eager to commence their voyage in the top flight. They will play their first match against Dempo Sports Club at Duler Stadium on 22 August.
The other club promoted from the GFA First Division is Corps of Signals, who finished second behind champions Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao. They will lock horns against Calangute Association on 25 August.
The Big Goan Derby between Dempo and Churchill Brothers will take place on 8 October, while the return leg will be played on 20 December.
Meanwhile, the Bardez Derby witnessed in the latest edition of the Goa Police Cup between FC Bardez and Calangute Association will be played on 13 September, while FC Bardez will host their beachside rivals on 11 December.
The league will run until the end of the year. First eleven rounds of the league will be played at the Duler Stadium as other grounds in Goa are unavailable due to the monsoon. While the games in the second half of the season will be played at the home teams’ preferred venues.