Wikipedia - SC de Goa

Sporting Clube de Goa (simply known as Sporting Goa and abbreviated as SCG) is an Indian professional football club based in Panaji, Goa. The club competes in the I-League 2, the third tier of the Indian football league system and the Goa Football League. Nicknamed "The Flaming Orange", the club was founded in 1999 as Cidade de Goa. They previously competed in the I-League, then top-flight of Indian football league system.

The club was built on the lines of Portuguese club Sporting CP and adopted a similar club crest. The club Cidade de Goa (City of Goa) was purchased by Sporting's owner late Mr Peter Vaz and wife current President Mrs Natalina Vaz and renamed Sporting Clube de Goa in 1999. Sporting Clube de Goa won its first Goa Football League in 2006. Since then it has clinched the title in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021. Sporting Goa is the only club to have won the Super Cup without winning the league or Federation Cup.

Sporting Clube de Goa pulled out of 2016–17 I-League, citing AIFF bias against some clubs.

History

Origins

A sports and recreational club named 'Sporting Clube de Goa' was established in Goa (then in Portuguese India) as the branch number 114 of Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Formation and journey: 1999–2010

The club as a professional football club, came into existence in 1999, when the residents of Panjim decided the launch of a football club after "Cidade dé Goa" (a local club) disbanded its football team. Thus, after Vasco Sports Club, Sporting became the second club of public shareholding in Goa. The club, built on the lines of Portuguese club Sporting Clube de Portugal, has made rapid strides in the national circuit. Sporting shot to prominence with an impressive performance in the 2001–02 Federation Cup, the team made it to the last four after victories over stronger teams like East Bengal FC and Indian Bank Recreational Club.

Wilton Gomes of Sporting Clube de Goa (in orange) in action against Vasco Goa during the 2008–09 I-League, at Fatorda Stadium.

After winning the 2002–03 National Football League II, Sporting made its debut in the 2003–04 season of National Football League. In 2004–05 NFL season, they were on the verge of winning their first league championship but lost out on the last day when Dempo pipped them to the title. Their season was marred by a horrific bus accident that ruled out 4 key players for the whole season while several others were injured. However, led by Nigerian import Dudu Omagbemi, they managed to complete their matches in a very short period after being given a few weeks off so that their players could recover, and heroically came second ahead of traditional powerhouses East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar and Mahindra United. Sporting entered into the finals of 2005 Federation Cup, but finished as the runner-up.

In 2005, Sporting missed the Durand Cup title by a whisker when the Army XI produced an upset to win. In the 2006 edition of Federation Cup, they reached the finals once again, but lost in penalty shoot-out to Mohun Bagan AC. They achieved third place in the 2008–09 I-League.

Later years: 2010–present

Sporting Goa players (in orange) in action against Prayag United in an I-League match at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa, Goa, 2013.
Nigerian striker Odafa Onyeka Okolie receiving the home kit from club president Peter Vaz in June 2015

After getting relegated from the I-League in 2010, they participated in the 2011 I-League 2nd Division and won promotion by finishing in 2nd place. At the final of 2013–14 Indian Federation Cup, Churchill Brothers defeated Sporting Goa 3–1. In 2016, they again progressed to the semi-finals of Federation Cup, until being beaten by Aizawl. In June 2020, Sporting Goa enjoyed an international transfer when club's Indian forward Shanon Viegas signed with Portuguese AF Lisboa 2ª Divisão Série side C.D. Olivais e Moscavide for a long-term deal.

Sporting Goa players (in blue) in action against Churchill Brothers during a local league match at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa in 2023

In the 2020–21 Goa Professional League, Sporting Clube de Goa emerged champions after recording a comprehensive 9–0 win over Guardian Angel in the final league match at Chowgule ground, but was not selected for I-League Second Division. Their futsal section won the GFA State Futsal Championship, earning a place in AIFF Futsal Club Championship. In the 2021–22 season, Sporting Goa finished as runners-up, finishing behind Dempo. In August 2022, legendary Goan manager Armando Colaco was appointed as new head coach by the club on a three-year deal. The club reached final of GFA Charity Cup in 2023. In August 2023, Sporting Goa was granted an I-League 3 spot to participate in the inaugural edition. In that edition, the club crowned champions with superior head-to-head record against Dempo and Sporting Bengaluru in play-offs, securing promotion to the I-League 2. In 2023–24 I-League 2, the club ended their campaign achieving fifth place with 19 points in 14 matches. In May, Sporting Goa clinched their seventh Goa Professional League title.

In June 2024, SCG appointed Savio Medeira as new technical director. The club took part in 2024 Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy, in which foreign teams Brisbane Roar and Defensa y Justicia participated. They suffered a 2–0 defeat to Brisbane Roar on 30 August.


Sporting Clube de Goa is a professional soccer team based in India. Founded in 1999, the team competes in the I-League, which is the top tier of Indian football. Sporting Clube de Goa has a rich history of success in domestic competitions and has a strong fan base that supports them at their home matches.

The team is known for its attacking style of play and talented roster of players, both domestic and international. They have a reputation for developing young talent and providing opportunities for up-and-coming players to showcase their skills on the national stage.

Sporting Clube de Goa has a dedicated coaching staff and management team that work tirelessly to ensure the team's success both on and off the field. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for the game, Sporting Clube de Goa continues to be a formidable force in Indian football.