MARGAO, MARCH 20
Salgaocar Sports Club will bank on home advantage and look for full points in their 17th round match of ONGC 3rd I-league when they face in-form Chirag United at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Sunday.
Salgaocar are lying at 11th spot with 18 points from 16 matches.
Salgaocar who defeated Dempo in their previous match, are not taking Chirag United for granted They have gained in confidence of late and Karim Bencherifa’s boys know that they will have to give their best tomorrow.
Salgaocar will miss their Brazilian defender Luciano Sabrosa due to double booking. Ekenne and Keita will have to shoulder the burden upfront while Rocus Lamare and Francis Fernandes will have to work overtime down the middle.
Chirag which shared the top position along with Dempo in the first leg are still very much in the title race as they are only three points off the top with new coach Anjan Nath looking for a good run of form.
All four of Salgaocar’s victories have come in Goa while Chirag have won only two matches outside Kolkata.
Edmilson has been suspended for spitting against Churchill Bros defender Robert L and that will be a setback for Chirag.
Chirag who beat Salgaocar in the first leg sounded cautious under Nath, as their opponent look a different team under Bencharifa.
“We have to play to our potential to beat them as they have home advantage,” Nath said.
It will be a close contest as both teams will go all out for a win. Chirag want to keep themselves in the race for the title, while Salgaocar need to keep away from the relegation zone.
