PANJIM: Sporting Clube de Goa are locked and loaded to take on their arch rivals Salgaocar FC in the all exciting Goan Derby at the Nehru Stadium, on Thursday, at 7 p.m.
Sporting Clube are match high on confidence after beating the in-form Bengaluru FC in their previous match while Salgaocar FC had a good long 10-day break to regroup after their first point against Aizawl FC.
Sporting Clube Gaffer Mateus Costa said, “We had a good match against Bengaluru FC and we are looking forward to carry the same form into this match.”
“But we are not taking it lightly, every match is different and every set of opponent have different tactics. Salgaocar FC is a good side with some fine player, but we have an equally tenanted side,” he further added.
He went on “We have had some fantastic training sessions, our players are combining well and that will be a key factor in how this match shapes up.”
When quizzed about the squad strength, Mateus added, “We have the necessary depth in our squad to see off this I-League season, a lot of young talented Goan boys are waiting to break into the first team. They have shown good improvement in training and we are enjoying the competition.”
The skipper Odafa Okolie said, “More than scoring goals it’s important for me that my team comes out with three points.”
He further added, “Our players have displayed good character on the field, I have received good support upfront and it happens in every department. We support each other throughout and that helps in achieving the team goal.”
Salgaocar FC head coach Santosh Kashyap is focusing on an ‘attitude make-over’ for his camp. When he was asked about how is the morale of the team, he had this to say “The right attitude is what matters, I have asked the players to keep a positive attitude rest will follow.”
The Green’s coach went on to add, “I keep changing formations, every opponent is different and we need to adapt as per the available squad.”
Salgaocar have had a notable injury problem with most of their foreign strength unavailable for the games thus far.
A major boost for Sporting Clube ahead of the important derby is that all of their foreign recruits are available for the pick; however one worry would be the defender Ravanan who would miss this match on the account of the red card he picked up at Kanteerava.
Over all, the Goan football fans are in for a treat on Thursday when these two heavyweights of Goa come face to face against each other.
The game will be telecast live on TENAction.
