TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
MAPUSA: Salgaocar Football Club will take on Shillong Lajong in a Round 20 I-League match at Duler Stadium, here, on Saturday, at 3.45 p.m.
Expectations are high from David Booth’s men after thumping Pune FC 2-0 in an away match, thanks to a brace by India international Francis Fernandes. However, stopper-back and captain Luciano Sobrosa, who had made his return against Pune FC did not last long as the Brazillian had to be substituted after his hamstring injury resurfaced.
“Luciano will be out for some time due to his injury. It’s a huge setback in defence but we have to make do with what is available with us,” said Salgaocar technical director Peter Valles.
The long break after this round will certainly allow team to recover from injuries.
Defender Rahul Kumar will also be missed following his direct red card against Sporting Clube de Goa.
The absence of the stopper-backs will mean coach David Booth will have to rely on a make-shift centre back pairing consisting of Augustine Fernandes and possibly Nicolau Colaco. Striker Milagres Gonsalves could be forced to fall back on the right of defence while Fulgancio Cardozo will be on the left.
“Despite the absentees we still have a strong squad. If we play the way we did against Pune FC, three points are there for the taking,” said Valles.
The Green Brigade will rely on their three new recent signings Nigerian OJ Obatola, Brazillian Josimar Martins and Singaporean John Wilkinson top perform.
The match will be equally crucial for Shillong Lajong FC. Since showing English coach Desmond Bulpin the door after a string of disappointing performances, Lajong are trying to work their way out of the relegation zone. A victory against United Sikkim Football Club in the Northeast derby came as a breather.
Lajong now have 19 points from as many matches and are placed tenth, just two points ahead of Salgaocar FC, who have a match in hand.
Meanwhile, in Pune, Derrick Pereira may find it difficult to explain the reasons for Pune FC’s mid-season slump after having done so well till the turn of the New Year. But as his boys get ready to face Mumbai FC in a Round 20 match, he would simply want a win before the traditional 40-day-odd break in the I-League football championship.
Though Pune FC would be playing the backlog of two matches before the league reopens on March 24, the Saturday’s match is crucial in terms of instilling confidence after suffering three losses in four matches.
Mumbai FC have 26 points from 18 matches and occupy the sixth position, while Pune FC, which has played 17 matches, are at No. 5 with 30 points. The kick-off is at 7 p.m.
In Kolkata, East Bengal will take Mohun Bagan, at 2 p.m.
“I would wish that the match continues the full 90 minutes unhindered,” was how the title seeking coach of East Bengal, Trevor James Morgan, sought set a prequel to the season’s second derby against arch rivals Mohun Bagan, that happens in the 20th round of the I-League at Salt Lake Stadium, here, on Saturday. The memory of the last derby (December 9, 2012) exactly two months ago appeared vivid in Morgan’s mind when spoke about his team’s second meeting with Mohun Bagan.
The match will be played under strange situation. Mohun Bagan are at the bottom of the table with five points from 14 rounds and fighting to save relegation while East Bengal are currently on top of the table with 39 points from 19 matches. Always seen as mother of all derbies, this is indeed quite strange.
