TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Salgaocar Football Club will try to make amends of their first leg defeat as they take on in-form Sporting Clube de Goa in a 19th Round I-League match, here, on Wednesday.
Technical Director of Salgaocar, Peter Valles said that the 40-day break has done his team a world of good and that they are now ready to take on the best in the business.
Salgaocar struggled to find a foothold in the championship in the initial games. Even when David Booth took over the side midway into the season, the team did not perform up to expected levels, but a few changes, notably among foreign players, has changed the team dynamics.
Salgaocar have now not just climbed out of the relegation zone but also look good to finish a few notches higher.
“The break came at the right time. The players we had in the injured list have recovered and they are now raring to go,” said Valles.
Players like Brazilian captain Luciano Sabrosa, Rahul Kumar and Francis Fernandes have all recovered from their injuries.
“The availability of the full squad adds to our strength. I feel the team is at its best at the moment,” said Valles.
Salgaocar’s first round clash against Sporting Clube ended in disappointment after Rahul Kumar was sent off and Sporting responded with two goals that floored the former champions.
Sporting Clube coach Oscar Bruzon Barreras also feels confident after getting enough time to work on the team. He has also managed to get the best out of his Spanish duo of striker Juanfri and defender Angel Berlanga.
Sporting Clube are on a three match winning streak which includes the prized scalps of Salgaocar, Churchill Brothers and Pailan Arrows, and will now look to continue in the same vein.
“We have been working hard for the past three weeks and I am very happy with the performance of the players. Having defeated Salgaocar in the first leg and in the Goa Pro league has added to our advantage but we cannot take our rivals lightly as anything can happen in football,” said Bruzon.
