Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Salgaocar Football Club is set to welcome the Highlanders Shillong Lajong in the Hero I-league’s fixture of the West versus the East on Saturday, at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco, at 4.30 p.m.
This will be the Greens fourth home game in a row, out of which they had a loss to Mohun Bagan, a victory against East Bengal and the last game against Mumbai FC ended in a draw.
Having had to share the spoils with Mumbai FC in the previous game despite taking the lead twice and giving it away by conceding a penalty on both occasions the home side are now desperate for a victory. Shillong Lajong on the other hand has had two home games where they drew with DSK Shivajians & suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of title contenders Bengaluru FC.
Both teams are having their share of injuries as they head into this fixture. The travelling side are missing two of their foreign signings due to hamstring injuries. Brazillian striker Uilliams Sousa and Japanese defender Yusuke Yamagata has not travelled with the team and will miss this final fixture before the break.
Speaking to the media, Head Coach for the Highlanders Thangboi Singto said, “We would like to take a win, but a point would be good enough for us, it’s an away game and Salgaocar have grown stronger and since they are at home we have to respect them.”
A worried Greens gaffer said, “the Team is shaping up well, but we have quite a few injury concerns, we have almost six players out but we will see who is fit and do our best.”
On the list of players mentioned by the coach who will not be seen in the game were Darryl Duffy, Saran Singh, Reagan, Rocus Lamare, Martin Scott and Gabriel Fernandes.
He however did say that there were fit replacements and hinted at the possibility of Gurjinder Kumar and Clifton Dais being in the starting XI.
The coach is still confident in his side and the advantage the home game gives.
“I never play for a draw, my philosophy is simple, go for the win & do your best & we shall see what happens, injuries are a part of the game you can’t expect the entire squad to be available.”
After being questioned on the looming sword of relegation which has been dangling over the Goan outfit’s side he added, “They also battle relegation and this makes it a crucial fixture for both of us and as we have the advantage of the home match doing well in the last two games we hope to come back and with all due respect to them, win and try to move up in the table.”
