Team Herald
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PANJIM: Dempo Sports Club will lock horns with Namdhari FC in their third fixture of the I-League 2024-25 season on December 3, at the Namdhari Stadium, Punjab, at 2 pm.
After a hard-fought win against Shillong Lajong, the Golden Eagles will look to maintain their momentum and climb further up the table.
Goals from Pruthvesh Pednekar and Matija Babovic sealed three points for Dempo SC in their previous outing, placing them fifth in the standings with four points from two games.
Coach Samir and his squad are eager to capitalise on their form and take advantage of Namdhari FC’s struggles.
The hosts Namdhari FC, will be without key player Manvir Singh, who received a red card in their 3-1 defeat to Rajasthan FC. This leaves the Punjab-based side under pressure to bounce back against a well-drilled Dempo SC unit.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Dempo SC coach Samir expressed confidence in his squad while acknowledging the challenges of a demanding schedule.
“The players are responsible, they enjoy the game, and they’re eager for their next assignment,” Samir said.
“We’ve just started the league and predicting the winner is impossible at this stage. There are favourites, but for me, the teams are equal. In this league, any team can beat anyone,” he added.
Reflecting on the travel woes after their Shillong match, Samir praised his team’s resilience. “We travelled on Sunday from Shillong – it wasn’t easy. We left at 5 am and reached at around 7 pm. It was a long and hectic journey. But as professionals, we’re ready for these challenges, and I believe my players will rise to the occasion,” he remarked.
Known for their fighting spirit, Dempo SC will look to embrace the club’s legacy of thriving under pressure.
“Even when I was playing, we faced challenges head-on and came out stronger. This is a unique quality of Dempo SC, and I trust my squad to do better,” Samir concluded.
