Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
FATORDA: Dempo Sports Club will host Delhi FC in the I-League 2024-25 match on January 29, at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, at 3.30 pm.
The Golden Eagles, currently sitting in ninth place with 11 points, will look to make the most of their home advantage as they aim to turn their fortunes around after a string of disappointing results. Their most recent outing saw them suffer a 0-2 defeat against Real Kashmir FC in Srinagar.
Despite the uphill battle, Dempo SC Head Coach Samir Naik remains optimistic about his side’s chances.
Speaking on the eve of clash, Naik said, “We had better days, with or without foreigners. It will take some time for the foreigners to adjust, but for the betterment of the team, we have to give our best and try to win the game.”
The Golden Eagles have only managed to collect one point in their last five matches - a stretch that has put them under pressure.
Reflecting on their recent performances, Naik explained, “We could have done better in the first two games after the break, but in the final moments, we were defeated, probably due to a lack of concentration or because the opponents were stronger.”
With a squad filled with young, relatively inexperienced players, and a fluctuating foreign contingent, Naik admitted the challenges but expressed faith in his team.
“The boys are young and inexperienced, but we will get better. One foreigner trained on Tuesday, Lukman has trained with us three times, and Daiman is injured and just recovered. There are injuries, but the local boys are there, and I have faith in them. This is no easy situation as a coach - to have young players and constant changes in the foreign contingent - but we are ready to fight,” he signed off.