TEAM HERALD

sports@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: Defending champions Dempo Sports Club will look to maintain their winning momentum when they take on Prayag United Sports Club, Kolkata in a 10^th round I-League football match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday, at 7 p.m.

Dempo currently occupy the top spot with 22 points from nine matches while Prayag United are ranked fourth with 14 points from the same number of encounters.

Under chief coach Armando Colaco, Dempo are a team driven by conviction and consistency. The addition of the much flaunted EPL recruit – Rohan Rickets in their ranks - has strengthened the Dempo attack. The presence of seasoned campaigners – Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda, Peter Carvalho and Godwin Franco - in prominent positions in the midfield will provide plenty of action. The statistics overwhelmingly favour the hosts, as they have won comfortably against the visitors in the past.

“The morale of the players is high and I am confident that they will play to win. We are fully prepared, but we cannot afford to relax. We have to work hard to put them under pressure,” stated Colaco after the team’s training session at Sangolda ground, Friday morning.

“It is true that we have missed chances in the past but in football, missing chances is part of the game. I am delighted with the way the team is shaping up,” said the former India coach. “We have to focus on wining three points. Prayag are a good team and have a good coach and cannot be taken lightly. It will not be the end of the road if we lose,” Colaco asserted.

There was some good news for Colaco as striker Koko Sakibo, midfielder Clifford Miranda and goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury have recovered from injury and will figure in the playing 18. However, Colaco will miss attacking midfielder Anthony Pereira and central defender Creeson Antao due to injuries.

On the other hand, Prayag have problems aplenty, the foremost being the low morale after their back-to-back defeats at the hands of Churchill Bros and Mumbai FC. Prayag’s management have finalized the services of Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie, who has to worry about the spate of injuries to most of the first string players like Shylo Malswamtluanga, New Zealander Kayne Vincent and Dipak Mondal, who has not yet joined the team after his mother’s death.

“I am not worried about the points as of now. I am more concerned about the consistency of the team. We don’t want to lose our away matches. We will be happy with a win, if not at least a draw,” said Schattorie. Prayag United will rely heavily on Nigerian striker Ranty Martins and Costa Rica’s Carlos Hernandes to deliver the goods upfront.