The Goa [Images] Football Association (GFA) has made elaborate arrangements for the ninth edition of National Football League for the 66 Goa leg matches with Vasco and Fransa F C, playing the inaugural match at the Fatorda grounds in Margao on Thursday.

A well equipped ambulance with a defebrillator and CPR trained personnel is kept in readiness for all the matches to meet any eventuality, GFA secretary Savio Messias said.

"The first phase will witness 35 matches in less than 45 days. The second phase matches are likely to be played under floodlight and we have asked the Sports Authority of Goa to set right the light towers which are not running to full capacity", he said.

NFL will feature six Goan teams and with four teams getting relegated at the end of the league, the Goan clubs are aware that they will have to give their best to remain in the first eight, to qualify for the 10th edition of the National Football League which will feature 10 teams.

Fransa who did not have a good season have recruited two foreigners to match the big guns of NFL. Vasco whose striking force and midfield look suspect have also recruited two Brazilian midfielders.

Federation Cup winners, Dempo, looked the best Goan side to win the title, but the tragic death of their striker Cristiano Junior in the Federation Cup finals at Bangalore has put them under pressure as they are looking for a quality replacement.

But the biggest upset came for Salgaocar who saw their Brazilian striker Marcos Pereira quiting the team a few days ago.

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