AGENCIES, KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club face a daunting task on Wednesday when they take on Dempo Sports Club in a final round encounter of the I-League Second Division on Wednesday, at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, at 4 p.m.
The game promises to be an intense battle. If Mohammedan SC fails to win the match then they will be out of the race for promotion to the Hero I-League while a win for Dempo SC almost guarantees them a place in the top-flight.
“We are not looking at the table right now. What we have to do is just keep winning. It’s not an easy task but certainly achievable,” said Mohammedan SC coach Subrata Bhattacharya Jr.
Both teams head into game coming off wins. Mohammedan SC beat Lonestar Kashmir FC 1-0 on Sunday while Dempo blanked Gangtok Himalayan SC 3-0 a week ago. However, the match against Dempo SC will be Mohammedan SC’s third in last seven days whereas Dempo SC playing their first in the same duration.
Mohammedan SC who are unbeaten in their last five and will be keen to maintain momentum. However, the task at hand will be not be easy for the Black Panthers as they head into the most important fixture of their entire campaign without James Moga who is unavailable for remaining matches due to a four-match suspension.
Ajay Singh, who scored the winner against Lonestar Kashmr, will be the man on whom the team will rely for goals in Moga’s absence.
Dempo SC, on the other hand are on a four-match winning streak, will depend on Felix Chidi Odili to break though the Mohammedan defence.
The Nigerian will be joined by the India international Holicharan Narzary while the likes of Romeo Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai and Jewel Raja and Germanpreet Singh will supply them from midfield.
The defence will be led by Chika Wali alongside Mohammed Ali with Debabrata Roy and Shallum Pires starting as wing-backs. Dempo skipper Laxmikant Kattimani will stand guard under the bar who kept clean-sheet in last five matches.
