Founded in 1999 by the late legendary real estate mogul, Mr. Peter Vaz and his wife Mrs. Natalina Vaz (the current president of Sporting Clube de Goa) and celebrating 25 years behind them in 2024, the club has steered courses and journeyed through uncharted waters—a course they took on rivetingly.
The “Flaming Orange”—nicknamed to depict the high-spirited colour orange’—rise to greatness included outmatching sporting giants, overcoming a horrific bus accident and emerging rivalries.
The Rise of Sporting Clube de Goa
Following a rich legacy of traditional Goan games, football was granted the status of the state sport of Goa, given the region’s vibrant sporting heritage. While football was introduced to India by the British soldiers in the mid-19th century, initially played between army teams, the history of Goan football dates back to 1883, when an English priest introduced the game to the state.
One of Goa’s most renowned football clubs, originally called Cidade de Goa (meaning City of Goa), was later renamed Sporting Clube de Goa after being acquired by the late Mr. Peter Vaz and Mrs. Natalina Vaz.
Inspired by the Portuguese club, “Sporting CP” and adopting a similar crest, the club quickly made its mark in the football world.
Breakthroughs and Resilient Triumph
Sporting Clube de Goa’s rise began with a standout performance in the 2001-02 Federation Cup, followed by a victory in the 2002–03 National Football League II. This triumph set the stage for an exciting and memorable debut in the 2003-04 National Football League (NFL), (currently known as I-League) that ran from 1996 to 2007 and was the top tier of Indian football as well as the country’s first-ever national-level football league. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s rise to footballing glory.
In the 2004–05 NFL, they came close to their first title but finished second after a tough season marred by a bus accident that sidelined four key players for the entire season, with several others injured. Despite this and under the leadership of international football champion Dudu Omagbemi, they managed to complete their matches in a short period and finished a heroic second, ahead of powerhouses like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar and Mahindra United.
The year 2005 also witnessed Sporting Clube de Goa get agonizingly close to winning the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest club football tournament and the fifth-oldest national football competition in the world, only to be defeated by an upset victory from the Army XI in the final. Finishing as runners-up in the Federation Cup in both 2005 and 2006, their perseverance paid off with victories in the 2005 Indian Super Cup (1997-2011) and the 2008–09 I-League, where they secured a respectable third-place finish.
Besides excelling in the national leagues, Sporting Clube de Goa secured their first Goa Football League title in 2006, marking their place in local football history. The club maintained its dominance, winning the title again in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021, solidifying their legacy in Goan football.
2010 to present— The Legacy Continues
After relegation from the I-League in 2010, Sporting Clube de Goa earned promotion by finishing second in the 2011 I-League 2. They were runners-up in the 2013–14 Federation Cup and reached the semi-finals again in 2016.
Credited with producing national players like Bibiano Fernandes, Brandon Fernandes and Adil Khan, the club saw Indian forward Shanon Viegas make an international move in 2020, signing a long-term deal with Portuguese side C.D. Olivais e Moscavide.
In the 2020–21 season, they won the Goa Professional League but missed out on I-League 2. Their futsal team triumphed in the GFA (Goa Football Association) State Futsal Championship, securing a spot in the AIFF (All India Football Federation) Futsal Club Championship. Finishing as runners up in the 2021–22 season and under the guidance of newly appointed legendary coach Armando Colaco, the club won the inaugural I-League 3 in 2023, securing promotion to I-League 2. Securing fifth place in the 2023–24 I-League 2, the club clinched their seventh Goa Professional League title.
Sporting Clube de Goa’s Dedication to Community Development
Sporting Clube de Goa is the only club to win the Indian Super Cup (1997-2011) without claiming the league title or Federation Cup, a unique achievement in Indian football. Off the field, the club has made notable contributions to youth development and infrastructure. In 2013, the club launched its football academy, led by acclaimed football Spanish coach, Javier Fernández Cabrera. To support youth development, the Don Bosco College ground was renovated with advanced drainage systems for a better playing surface. The club also introduced its mascot “Zumba” ( I-league’s first live mascot) and its theme song,”Flaming Orange”.
