Mathew Gonsalves. (TOI Photo)

MAPUSA: Most of Mathew Gonsalves's age are now either football coaches or taken up alternative careers after quitting the sport. The defender will turn 42 next month but shows no signs of slowing down.

On Monday, he was at his fiery best as Goa defeated Rajasthan 2-0 in a West Zone qualifier of the Santosh Trophy at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa. At the end of the 90 minutes as Goa celebrated the three points, there was an additional round of applause for Mathew, the oldest footballer to have now played for the state in the Santosh Trophy.

The Dempo Sports Club defender breaks the record of Goa's legendary goalkeeper Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, the first from the state to win the Arjuna Award.

Brahmanand debuted for Goa at the Santosh Trophy in 1973 at Ernakulam and played 17 times till 1994 at Cuttack when he had just turned 40.

"I am very fortunate to play Santosh Trophy at this age. We have to do something for our state and win back the title. There are players from different clubs. It takes time to develop understanding, but we have experienced players in each position to help the youngsters," said Mathew, who had to sit out of last year's tournament due to injury.

Mathew would know what victory in the Santosh Trophy tastes like.

'Mathew is playing his best football'

In 2009 when Goa defeated West Bengal on penalties to clinch the state's fifth, and last, title in Chennai, Mathew was part of the squad and it's no surprise that coach Anthony Pereira is expecting him to shoulder a majority of the burden at the back.

"Mathew has great command in defence. At this age, he is playing his best football with a big club (Dempo SC). Age doesn't matter, only the fittest survive. He is the top defender in the state right now," said Pereira, who played alongside Mathew for a year at Sporting Clube de Goa .

It was Pereira who handpicked the Nerul-based player, impressed with his fitness levels. Mathew certainly did his reputation no harm with a clean show in defence in Goa's 2-0 win.

It is quite commendable for an outfield player to prolong his career so much, especially since he turned professional only in 2006 when he joined Sporting Clube de Goa at the age of 26. Some of the best players of his generation like Bibiano Fernandes , Clifford Miranda , Samir Naik, Mahesh Gawli and Climax Lawrence have all taken to coaching, while Mathew is still playing his best football.

"If I stay injury free, I can easily play for three more years. I eat and sleep on time and that has helped me prolong my career. I don't even get tired on the pitch," said Mathew, now playing his fourth Santosh Trophy, largely due to a rule in 2013 that debarred I-League players from taking part.

