VASCO: Having annexed the Goa Pro League and Durand Cup titles early on in the season, Salgaocar FC were one of the favourites going into the 2014-15 edition of the Hero I-League. Unfortunately, things have not panned out as they’d have hoped for and instead they enter the last game of the season, needing a draw to ensure survival in top flight.
The injury to last year’s leading scorer Darryl Duffy during the Federation Cup, just ahead of the start of the I-League, meant Salgaocar have been unable to find the back of the net often enough for their liking. In a couple of games that he did start, the difference was telling, a fine brace in the 3-1 win over Kingfisher East Bengal at home being a fine example.
The away form has also been far from decent for the Greens with the 3-1 win over Shillong Lajong being the only positive result.
“We will stick to our basics and play a normal game. We hope to implement our natural attacking game and seek to eliminate mistakes at the back. We saw Dempo put a lot of pressure on Bengaluru FC and I am sure they will be coming all-out against us. We will have to keep our composure and as I’ve said, play our natural game,” said Derrick, whose side managed to demolish Bharat FC 5-1 and jump to seventh on the table.
Salgaocar could lose and still avoid relegation tomorrow, depending on the results of the other matches, but it is certainly a chance no one, not least coach Derrick Pereira would contemplate taking.
Dempo, too, have struggled for goals, although their 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC in the last game should have encouraged coach Trevor Morgan.
The Vasco faithful are expected to throng the stadium in numbers to egg their team on. Derrick is likely to name an unchanged starting XI to the one that beat Bharat FC with local youngster, Umesh Harijan, who had a fine I-League debut in the last game likely to feature. The encounter between the two Goan giants promises to be nothing short of a feisty and full-blooded affair.
Shuttle service. Dempo SC will be arranging a shuttle bus service for their supporters interested in attending their final match of the Hero I-League season to be played against Salgaocar FC, on Saturday. The bus will depart from Dempo House, here to Tilak Maidan, Vasco, at 3 p.m.
