MUMBAI, MARCH 21
Dempo SC were going through one of their dull periods with the number of injured players forever increasing. Add to that the technical staff didn’t really get to work with their starting eleven players as most of them were part of the national camp.
The second phase of the I-League began with a scare with twin defeats to clubs, which under normal circumstances one wouldn’t ever imagine of them winning against the star studded Dempo line-up.
The Goan derby was the perfect setting for Dempo to send out a strong statement to their critics of their potential and that they are fully focussed on the task ahead. The 4-2 thrashing of Churchill Brothers was a testament that Dempo haven’t lost the plot.
Despite the number of players in the treatment room, the players who filled in, particularly Marcus Peixoto and Joaquim Abranches, were outstanding.
“I don’t coach only eleven players. I coach 18 to 20 players. I told the boys whom we put in that prove yourself on the big stage. Chhetri has gone but Joaquim came in his place and played well and Marcus on the left was also good,” coach Armando said.
“Nicolau gave a good pass. It was good to see Beto giving his all despite not being 100% fit. I never expected winning by such a scoreline. I thought maybe a 2-1 or a 3-2 victory. We were outstanding,” said a pleased Armando.
