TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club head coach, Arthur Papas will hope his team is rejuvenated on January 14 as they take on Bhawanipore Football Club in their opening match of the Federation Cup.
The Golden Eagles are clubbed in Group D along with Kolkota’s Mohammedan Sporting Club and United Sikkim Football Club.
The former five-time National champions, Dempo SC are currently in the tenth position in the I-League, 14 points behind league leaders Bengaluru FC who have 30 points. However, Dempo SC can certainly hope for a positive start of the year with the signings of Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey and former East Bengal skipper Sanju Pradhan, who is on loan from IMG-Reliance.
Given Dempo SC’s current position in the I-League, coach Papas has tremendous faith in his boys and believes his side can start the new year on a positive note. “Of course we are optimistic and intent on improving in 2014 and the Federation Cup is an opportunity to start the year positively. We have a tricky group as two of the teams in the group have been playing matches in their local leagues whilst our last competitive match was over three weeks ago. We are all committed to improving and going deep into the tournament.” stated the Australian tactician.
Papas has played a lone striker for most of their matches this season and it will be interesting to see how Tolgay adjusts. The Azzuri can also opt for two strikers if at all it goes along with their style with the availability of India forward Jeje Lalpekhlua, who has scored four times in 15 matches, with a few first starts.
Behind the forward line will be Brazilian playmaker Roberto Silva, providing the much needed creativity along with the experience of skipper Clifford Miranda on the left-wing position. Dempo SC will certainly miss their U-23 players Sahil Tavora, Myron Fernandes and Nickson Castanha as the trio are engaged with the India Lusofonia football team but Gabriel Fernandes, Pronoy Halder and Allwyn George are likely to fill the void.
Papas believes that consistency will be a key factor if they intent to go a long way in the prestigious tournament. “Consistency will play a major part to achieving success in the Federation Cup, being able to rotate the whole squad to maintain freshness and treating every match like it is a cup final, starting from game one. This is very important.” felt Papas.
Dempo SC take on United Sikkim in their second match on January 17 and then, Mohammedan SC in three days.
