PANJIM: Sporting Clube de Goa will meet Dempo SC in a fiery Goan derby in the I-League 2 at Dempo Academy ground, Ella, Old Goa, on Monday.
Sporting Clube went on top of the standings for the first time in the campaign after a 2-0 win against Maharashtra Oranje FC, on Thursday. They are tied on 10 points each with FC Bengaluru United but have a superior goal advantage.
Sporting Clube will look nothing less than a win and to boost their goal tally with the likes of Alister Anthony leading the attack. They are no short of goal scorers and winger Rohan Rodrigues has proved just that with a fine brace in the last game.
“We are on top and have to maintain that position. We have to play our game and be more clinical in front of goal,” said Sporting Clube technical advisor Climax Lawrence.
Goalkeeper Dylan Da Silva has been phenomenal since joining on loan from Dempo SC and will look for his third straight clean sheet. In defence, the experienced Joyner Lourenco has helped in organising well along with captain Joel Colaco, Klusner Pereira and Kunal Madkaikar.
Third Division League champions Sporting Clube had edged past Dempo 1-0 in that campaign but cannot rest on past laurels.
“Tomorrow’s game is very important as we take on Dempo SC. We have beaten them last time but that is the past now,” said Climax, the former India captain.
They know how dangerous Dempo SC can be after suffering a surprising 0-2 defeat to Kenkre FC.
“We have to keep pressure on our opponents right from the start, that’s what we will do,” said Climax.
