TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Having ended the first-leg on a sour note, it’s time for League leaders Dempo to start the second-leg on a positive note as they play Chirag United of Kerala in a 14th round match of I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Saturday.
Things have not gone well for Dempo in the later stages of the first-leg, but they will have to depend on danger-man Nigerian striker Ranty Martins alone to turn their fortune around. He will have to come up with something extraordinary to get past the Chirag United defence line.
Climax Lawrence, Peter Carvalho, Clifford Miranda and Anthony Pereira will give solidity to Dempo’s play who will promising striker Joaquim Abranches due to a knee injury. Mahesh Gawli and Marcus Peixoto are nursing injuries. Rowilson Rodrigues will take over Gawli’s place and then there will be Cresson Antao, Debabrata Roy. Samir Naik will return to the squad.
Dempo head coach Armando Colaco knows that the race for the title is open and that they are still ahead. He believes that the team will have to pull up their socks and play hard consistently. “The team spirit is good and I hope they carry that into the match. I am confident that they will give a good account of themselves. It will be business as usual. It will be a good match, pointed out Colaco.
“I am not perturbed with the defeats. What’s important is to start the second-leg on a winning note,” stressed Colaco.
Chirag United coach Ali Packer is aware that Saturday’s away match will be a totally difficult proposition. “I am aware of the weight that a team like Dempo has. They have quality balance and are a very set side. I have confidence in my boys. After the victory in Pune over Mumbai Football Club our morale is high,” stated the coach.
Packer said they will miss the services of defender Charles D for double booking with captain K Ajayan yet to recover from the injury. “We have to fight as if our life depends on it,” said Packer Ali.
