PANJIM: Salgaocar Football Club have made it into the semi-finals of the prestigious 127th Durand Cup and head coach Derrick Pereira has appealed to the fans to turn out in large number as they lcok horns with Bengaluru Football Club, at panchayat ground, Raia, on Thursday. The kick-off is at 8.45 a.m.
Asia’s oldest and World’s third oldest tournament has moved to Goa for the very first time in its illustrious history and Salgaocar FC will be chasing their third Durand Cup having won the title in 1999 and 2003.
Derrick has won the Durand Cup twice himself, once with Salgaocar FC in 1999 and as coach of Mahindra United in 2008.
“It would be fantastic to win this prestigious trophy on home soil in front of our fans. However, we are taking it one game at a time and don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves”, cautioned the gaffer.
Salgaocar FC made their way to the semi-finals having topped Group A with four points from a win and a draw.
Bengaluru FC on the other hand also completed their league engagements with a win and draw in Group C.
“It would be great to see a full house on Thursday and I sincerely urge the fans to support us. The semi-finals should make for a riveting contest” exclaimed Derrick.
“We have prepared ourselves well and the boys are raring to go”, he added.
In what is sure to be the Greens’ toughest test this season, Derrick will take plenty of heart from the fact that his side have made a near flawless start to the season, being unbeaten in 11 games. Add to that, the fact that nine different players have found themselves on the score sheet over the course of the 11 games thus far this season and it is no surprise therefore, that Salgaocar’s threat does not come from their forwards alone.
Ivorian Douhou Pierre has been the stand out performer in the Durand Cup having netted thrice already and will need to dish out another performance if the Greens are to make it to their third Durand Cup final.
Salgaocar FC have traditionally been well supported in South Goa and will bank on some vociferous home support to egg them on.
