MARGAO: Former five time champions Dempo Sports Club will bank on home advantage to end a two match winless streak as they take on Mohun Bagan in a round eight match of Hero I-League, at Nehru stadium, Fatorda, here, on Wednesday. The kick-off is at 7 p.m.
Dempo have conceded five goals in the previous match against East Bengal and occupy the eighth spot in the standings with seven points.
The home team has been plagued with injuries which is not helping their cause. The attack looks toothless without Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey, who missed the previous match due to injury.
Dempo interim coach Mauricio Afonso will expect his midfield to dish out a compact display and control right from the beginning. And for that to happen, the likes of Costa Rica’s Carlos Hernandez, Lenny Rodrigues, Francis Fernandes and Clifford Miranda will have to identify and exploit the chinks in Dempo’s armour and link up well with strikers Allwyn George, Holicharan Nazary or Joy Ferrao.
The Dempo head coach will be aware of the threat and look to employ some one in the midfield to break down the Mohun Bagan attacking build ups. Otherwise, the defence and goalkeeper will come under intense pressure.
“The spirit in the team is good and I hope they carry it into the match, on Wednesday. It is never easy playing against in-form Mohun Bagan. I am confident they will give a good account of themselves,” said Maurcio Afonso, Dempo SC’s interim coach.
“Records don’t count in a situation where we are up against a very good side. It will be a new match and will have different equation,” stated Afonso.
