MARGAO, DEC 21
Dempo Sports Club chief coach-cum-secretary, Armando Colaco is determined to record their second win against Mumbai Football Club in a fifth round match of I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Wednesday at 3.45 p.m.
Dempo are on five points from four matches and are keen in improving their position on the league ladder especially since Salgaocar and East Bengal are in top spot. Mumbai FC are on nine points from four encounters and occupy the third spot.
Dempo are determined to put across the Mumbai team, which has not performed well in the previous game against Churchill Brothers losing 1-5. There is good news for Colaco. Stopper back Cresson Antao and midfielder Joe Rodrigues have recovered from injuries and will figure in the playing 18. However, Colaco will miss the services of striker Joaquim Abranches and defender Valeriano Rebello, both recovering from injuries.
“I have confidence in my boys and also confident that the midfield will once again function as expected and dominate their positions to take control,” said Colaco.
Colaco also feels that if the medios once again do a good job then they will be able to put pressure on the rival defence. Dempo strikers Ranty Martins and promising youngster Cliffton Gonsalves have been on target in the previous match with both scoring one goal each.
“We are confident of notching three points. This is our home match and the boys have been playing well. Mumbai cannot be taken lightly. I am sure Mumbai technical director, Khalid Jamil will motivate and ensure they come hard at us,” Colaco concluded.
“I have great respect for Dempo chief coach Armando Colaco. They have quality a balanced side and are in a class of their own. They are playing at home and to be fair they are a superior side. But we know we can match them,” maintained Khalid.
Nigerian defender Alex Evans will miss the tie due to a double booking and will have no role to play. We cannot afford to play an open game against Dempo. We will play according to our plans, but when there is an opening we can catch on the counter. We will rely on Noel Wilson, Nigerian attacking duo Henry Ezeh and Ebi Theo Surkore to deliver the goods,” concluded Khalid.
