'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
His football journey has taken him from the quaint village of Majorda to the bustling city of Munich and now Sporting Clube de Goa has decided to promote their midfield magician Quan Gomes to the senior team on Tuesday at the SCG office in Panjim.
This September will mark five years since Quan put the St Anthony's High School in Majorda on the map after he was handpicked by a star-studded selection panel that included former India Captain and Arjuna Awardee Bruno Coutinho and the late great Goan wing wizard Domnic Soares at a talent hunt competition in the state.
The final round, where he was selected from thousands as the lone Goan to travel to Germany, was held at Don Bosco ground in Panjim. The 20-year-old Quan is happy to have signed a Professional contract for Sporting Goa and excited to be training at Don Bosco.
"This is where I got the opportunity to train abroad and meet future World Cup winners such as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Müller, where they presented me with a Bayern Munich signed jersey," explained Quan.
"After seeing the facilities in Germany, it's easy to see why they are World beaters. The Don Bosco turf reminds me of the pristine pitches I got to play on," added Quan.
Peter Vaz impressed by Quan’s Zidane roulette trick
Last season Quan was given his probation period as he represented the Flaming Oranje in the Under-19 I-League, which brought many admirers including the SCG President Peter Vaz.
"Quan impressed us with his box to box running and eloquent skills, which includes the Zidane roulette trick. His lack of height is made up for by a good standing jump and his shot from 40 yards also packs a punch," stated Sporting Goa's Head of Youth Development Mahesh Lotlikar.
During his formative years Quan has represented Fransa U-14 and Betalbatim Sporting Club U-14 under Coach Eban Mesquita, before joining Salgaocar U-16 where he got an opportunity to play in Thailand after winning the India leg of the Manchester United Premier Cup Under-15 competition. He also played for Guardian Angel, Curchorem in the GFA 1st Division.
Quan had previously played under Sporting Goa's current Head Coach Matheus Costa for Dempo SC U-18 and also in the Goa Pro League for Vasco SC. "The SCG Academy attempts to scout the best talent in Goa. If by chance these players are picked up by other clubs we are patient and wait for them to become available," reasoned Matheus.
