~ From Fields to Turfs: The Rise of Quickfire, Small-Sided Football in Goa.
~ No Goalkeepers, No Rest—Just Pure, High-Octane Football.
Goa’s passion for football, long synonymous with sprawling fields and 11- a-side contests, is finding its feet in a new, rapid-fire version of the beautiful game.
The rise of artificial turfs has sparked a wave of smaller-sided games, with 4v4 football leading the charge, pushing players to recalibrate their skills and strategies to the new evolution of the sport. This shift is epitomised by events with a cult-like following, such as the recent Red Bull Four2Score India national finals, held at Salvador do Mundo recently.
Far from being a passing trend, this brand of small-sided football is redefining how football is played and experienced in Goa. Like how the short-format Indian Premier League redefined cricket, small-sided turf games and events like the one held in Salvador do Mundo, are reshaping football, making it faster, fiercer and more unpredictable than ever.
“In the conventional 11-a-side format, you get all the time you need, like, you know, to walk and rest a lot,” observes Niraj Nikhil Parekh, captain of Boom Boom Goa, the team comprising Goan players that triumphed in the national finals held in Goa recently, securing their spot in the World Finals in Salzburg, Austria.
“In 4v4, it’s more of running up and down… and then, it’s very tiring,” Parekh adds. The exhaustion is real, but it underscores the intense and demanding nature of this modern, quickfire version of football.
The unique rules of 4v4 amplify the drama. The absence of goalkeepers means every shot is a potential goal and the strategic significance of double-scoring minutes turns the game into a high-stakes chess match. “Like, if you score in the first minute and the last, the score gets doubled,” explains Candolim-based 4-a-side player Devendra Pednekar. The constant threat of a sudden reversal—where a 2-0 lead can vanish in an instant—creates an electric atmosphere. “For example, if you’re leading 2-0 and the opposite team scores two goals in the last minute, they go up 4-2,” the 28-year-old Pednekar emphasises, highlighting the game’s unpredictable nature.
Beyond the sheer thrill, these smaller formats are proving to be invaluable training grounds for young and aspiring footballers.
“This is a format that has both similarities and differences with professional football,” notes FC Goa midfielder Mohammad Yasir. “Being equally aggressive in both attack and defence helps. Quick transitions are vital and pressing high can force mistakes.”
The compact nature of the turf sharpens players’ technical ability, quick decision-making and spatial awareness. “It improves close control, defensive awareness and attacking efficiency in tight spaces—key skills in modern football,” insists FC Goa full-back Boris Singh.
Pednekar echoes this sentiment: “It’s important for the grassroots level to start playing small- sided games. It builds confidence in tight spaces and helps players develop dribbling skills under pressure.”
The boom in artificial turfs has also democratised access to the sport, turning neighbourhoods into vibrant football hubs.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth… Every city today has multiple turfs in every neighbourhood. Goa has always been a football-crazy state and our partnership with FC Goa makes it an even stronger proposition to host events here,” says Ashutosh Goel of Mumbai-based One World of Sports, which was involved in the organisation of the national finals. This accessibility, combined with Goa’s deep-rooted football culture, has created the perfect environment for these smaller formats to thrive.
The numbers support Goel’s point—120 teams participated in the Goa qualifier round this year, compared to just 50-70 in 2018.
“We’ve also noticed that teams don’t always win in their own city. Many travel to other cities to compete,” Goel adds, highlighting the competitive spirit that drives teams beyond the comfort of their home turfs.
While 11-a-side football remains the backbone of the sport, 4v4 and other turf-based variations are adding a dynamic new dimension to Goa’s football landscape. They offer a fast-paced, high- energy alternative, fostering skill development and delivering a spectacle that embodies the modern game—speed, agility and relentless action.
As Boom Boom Goa prepares to represent India in Salzburg, Austria, the home of Red Bull, the impact of this turf revolution on Goa’s footballing future becomes increasingly evident.
