TEAM HERALD

sports@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: Hosts Sporting Club de Goa will look to bring their stuttering  Arial, sans-serif;">campaign back on track when they face debutants United Sikkim Football Club in a sixth round I-League football encounter at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Sporting are currently occupy the 11^th spot with four points from five matches while United Sikkim are on the 12^th position with same points from five matches. The Flaming Oranje were full of confidence during their training session. “We will win this match. It is a home match and an absolute must win match,” said Sporting coach Ekendra Singh. “There is no doubt in my mind that we will capture three points in tomorrow’s match.

“Injuries are always a concern particularly when they rule out big players. Defender Keita B has not yet played in the League so far due to injuries. It is frustrating. But it will be suppressed by the fact that Keita has recovered and will play tomorrow,” said Singh. All the three foreigners will be available for tomorrow’s match. The Flaming Oranje will rely a lot on striker Dawson Fernandes, Anoure and Ogba Kalu for goals.

“We have a full strength team and we are going into tomorrow’s match looking for full three points to get out season back on track,” said Bhaichung Bhutia who has taken over as player-cum-coach of United Sikkim Football Club with Belgian Philpe de Rider being elevated to the post of club football director. The decision to take up the charge as player-cum-coach came after being decimated by Prayag United 10-1. I will be coaching the team on a temporary basis till we get a suitable coach. It is a challenge and at the same time it is a risk,” said a concerned Bhutia ahead of team practice session at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Saturday morning. “Sometimes things just happen and the situations calls for a different reaction and different perceptive. As a team we are going through a difficult phase so I have stepped in to take up the challenge,” said Bhutia.

Bhutia is satisfied the team, who have been strengthened with the addition of foreigners and talented players in their ranks. “It will be very difficult playing against them on their home soil. They will enjoy the home advantage and their supporters will be backing them,” expressed Bhutia. We are low in confidence at the moment and are still recovering from the shock we received at the hands of Prayag United. We hope good fortune finally smiles on us,” Bhutia concluded.

Meanwhile Bhutia while denying talks of dissension among players due to non payment of salaries asserted that the atmosphere was perfect among the players and nothing about the salary issue had cropped up,” he stated.