PANJIM: Dempo Sports Club will bank on the ‘fantastic’ spirit in the team after retaining the Goa Super League title for second successive year to get a positive result against Ambernath United Atlanta FC in the Second Division I-League clash at Dempo Football Academy ground, Ela-Old Goa on Sunday at 4 pm.
Dempo SC have had to endure a harsh schedule where they are now set to play their third game in five days, the first of which was a goalless draw against Second Division I-League Group D leaders ARA FC on March 29. The Golden Eagles are placed third in the group with five points from three games, same as Ambernath United Atlanta FC, who, however, have scored more goals and occupy second position.
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Dempo SC coach Samir Naik hailed the morale in the camp, saying: “Playing three matches inside five days, is only possible because of the fantastic spirit of the boys. Otherwise, if you think of the recovery time and energy, it won’t work. “
After a hard-fought victory on the final day of the State League, Dempo SC boys had a light training session on Saturday morning at the academy turf to prepare for the national battle.
In their three Second Division 2022-23 matches so far, the Golden Eagles have struggled to convert their chances after defender Brian Faria’s goal handed them a victory in the campaign-opener against FC Goa Reserves on March 15.
While the number of goal-scoring opportunities created by the likes of Beneston Barretto and Necio Fernandes will give a lot of hope to the team management and Dempo fans, the regularly misfiring forward line is also a cause for concern as Dempo are determined to move upward in the National football circuit via I-League, which they withdrew first, and into ISL in the near future after staying out for six years. In such a situation, the five-time top-flight National League winners will have to make the most of their home matches to secure their spot in the final round, as the primary task.
On the other hand, Ambernath United Atlanta FC, founded only in 2022, have been in Goa for three days now. In their previous outing, the Mumbai-based outfit
shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw with FC Goa Reserves at Nagoa ground on Thursday. With former India international winger Steven Dias as their head coach, Ambernath United have been scoring goals aplenty with six to their name so far this season. However, they have struggled defensively, conceding five goals in three games.
Making for an intriguing plot, Sunday’s clash pits defensively strong Dempo, who are yet to concede a goal, against free-scoring Ambernath United with two former India internationals – ex-defender Samir and ex-attacking midfielder Steven, crossing swords as head coaches.
