TEAM HERALD

sports@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: An upbeat Dempo will be determined to maintain the winning momentum  when they take on Sporting Club de Goa in a second round match of  I-League match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Friday at 7 p.m.

Dempo’s  attack will spearheaded by Japanese striker Ryuji Sueoka and England’s Rohan Rickets. Captain Clifford Miranda will marshal the midfield along with Climax Lawrence, Peter Carvalho and Anthony Pereira. Mahesh Gawli  will have a big role at the back. Goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury will stand under the bar.

Dempo chief coach Armando Colaco put his players through a strenuous training session on Thursday morning. “We have to focus on three points. Midfielder Godwin Franco is still nursing an injury. I have full respect for Sporting Clube. The way they held East Bengal in the previous match they have proved they have talented boys,” said Colaco.

Sporting Clube de Goa Technical Director, Alex Alvares is satisfied with the preparation of his team. “The morale of the players is very high and I am confident they will play to win,” said Alvares, who is expected to field the team sans foreigners.

While Dempo fielded just one foreigner and lost against East Bengal in Fed Cup finals, Sporting did not field a single foreigner and held Bengal in their I-League opener.

Midfielder Mackroy Peioxto is down with a knee injury while central defender Keita Bouckar also is on the injured list. Nigerian midfielder Ogba Kalu, who has recovered from a viral fever will be in the first 20. “We cannot underestimate Dempo. They are the defending champions.”

Alvares is confident that his strikers Dawson Fernandes and Vitorino Fernandes will provide the punch in the attack. He also believes that his midfielders will work in tandem with the forwards. Sporting expect goalkeeper Ashok Singh to produce another stellar performance.

Dempo will provide free transport for fans for the match. Buses will leave Siolim via Duler Mapusa at 5.30 p.m., Santo Estevam at 5.45 p.m. and Panjim (Dempo House) at 5.45 p.m.

No tickets will be provided, said the club.