The Goa Professional League 2023 will start on August 27 and could run till mid-2024 in Goa.
Organised by the Goa Football Association (GFA), the upcoming edition of the Pro League promises to be the biggest and most intense edition of the competition yet. FC Goa will face Churchill Brothers in the season opener on August 27.
Sporting Clube de Goa, Dempo SC, Calangute Association, SESA FA, Panjim Footballers, Guardian Angel SC, Vasco SC, Pax of Nagoa SC, Young Boys of Tonca, Cortalim Villagers and Geno Sports Club are the other 11 sides taking part in the Goan league.
For the first time in the league’s history, there will be a record 13 teams, while another side is expected to be added next season.
With four new teams and a notable presence of village-based clubs, the GFA plans to take the league to different villages to host a total of 156 matches on a home-and-away basis.
The first two rounds of the season will be played at Duler and the other venues which will host GPL 2023 are Ella Ground, Old Goa; Rosary Ground, Navelim; and Nagoa Ground, Verna.
After the second round, the league will head into a break for the Santosh Trophy qualification rounds.
Defending champions, Dempo SC will begin their title defence on August 29 against Cortalim Villagers, promising an exciting showdown.
Additionally, football enthusiasts can anticipate the return of Pax of Nagoa to top-flight football as they face Sporting Clube de Goa on August 31.
New entrants Geno SC are set to make their league debut against Churchill Brothers on September 2, adding an element of intrigue to the season.
In a significant pathway for Goa’s talented footballers, the winners of the Goa Professional League 2023-24 will be nominated to participate in the I-League Third Division for the 2024-25 season, creating new opportunities for aspiring players.
Where to watch the Goa Professional League 2023 live in India?
Live streaming of Goa Professional League 2023 will be available on the FanCode app and website in India.
There will be no live telecast of Goa Professional League 2023 on any TV channel in India.
Goa Professional League 2023 schedule and live match times
All timings are in India Standard Time (IST)
Sunday, August 27
FC Goa vs Churchill Brothers SC - 4:00 PM
Monday, August 28
SESA FA vs Young Boys of Tonca - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, August 29
Dempo SC vs Cortalim Villagers - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, August 30
Calangute Association vs Panjim Footballers - 4:00 PM
Thursday, August 31
Pax of Nagoa SC vs Sporting Cube de Goa - 4:00 PM
Friday, September 1
Guardian Angel SC vs Vasco SC - 4:00 PM
Saturday, September 2
Churchill Brothers SC vs Geno Sports Club - 4:00 PM
Sunday, September 3
Panjim Footballers vs Dempo SC - 4:00 PM
Monday, September 4
Sporting Clube de Goa vs FC Goa - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, September 5
Cortalim Villagers vs Calangute Association - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, September 6
SESA FA vs Guardian Angel SC - 4:00 PM
Thursday, September 7
Vasco SC vs Pax of Nagoa SC - 4:00 PM
Full schedule to be updated.
Photo credit: Alamy