MARGAO, JAN 3
Defending champions Dempo Sports Club are confident that they can turn things around when they meet promoted ONGC in a seventh round match of AIFF’s 4th I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Tuesday at 3.45 p.m.
Dempo have evolved as a force to reckon with for chief coach Armando Colaco. They are the fittest side in the league and thrive in a free flowing soccer. However, the midfield comprising Nigerian Ogba Kalu, Peter Carvalho, Nicoleau Borges and Brazilian Roberto Mendes da Silva which has been their forte, has shown poor constituency. Their performance has wavered from brilliant to mediocre. The same is the case with the defence. They have lost their enthusiasm in the last few home encounters. But their captain Ranty Martins has the capability to turn things around. Prolific striker Martins has not been in great form of late and is eager to get back into his groove.
How the ONGC back line copes with Ranty Martins’ threat might well decide the fate of the match. Add to that, the play-making skills of Roberto Mendes da Silva and promising striker Joaquim Abranches and you have strong Dempo side on paper.
Dempo have nine points from six encounters and are determined to adopt a positive approach and go all out for a win to grab full three points on offer.
Armando Colaco is determined that his team puts a good performance and tries their best to maintain their dominance. “The boys have worked hard this season, but injuries to key players have affected our progress in the league,” said Colaco. The players need to give their best and perform well against new entrants.
“We have to focus on winning three points. I am not willing to take ONGC lightly. They are a good team and have a bunch of talented players in their ranks and we need to play well. I have asked the boys to enjoy their time on the field,” Colaco said.
ONGC coach Subrtata Bhattacharya, who resigned as coach of Mumbai Football Club recently is well aware of the defending champions’ ball controlling ability. He put his boys through training sessions on Monday here. “I have great respect for Dempo. They have the quality balance and are a very set side and my boys need to give their best and perform exceptionally well against Dempo. We have to fight for a point. Dempo are the overwhelming favourites with in-form players, home advantage and maturity, but we will be no pushovers,” said former Vasco Club coach Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya is confident that his strikers Baba Tunde and Opera will provide the punch in the attack. He also believes that their midfielders will work in tandem with forwards to put the rival defence under pressure. ONGC expect goalkeeper Rajat Ghosh Dastidar to produce stellar performance under the bar. They will, however, miss the services of Ravindran, due to double bookings.
