We can beat JCT: Bencherifa

We can beat JCT: Bencherifa
HERALD CORESPONDENT
MARGAO, JAN 22
Salgaocar Sports Club Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa sounded positive and hopeful of securing full three points in his team’s 11th round clash against JCT in I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Sunday at 3.45 p.m.
For Salgaocar, it’s all about catching up with table-toppers East Bengal in the league ladder.
Salgaocar are with 21 points, behind East Bengal and know another slip up against JCT could make them difficult in chasing the title.
In fact the boys enjoyed their morning training session with coach Bencherifa putting them through their paces.
Salgaocar coach Bencherifa is upbeat about the encounter. “I am happy with the way my boys are shaping up. Defeating Churchill Brothers and Dempo Sports Club in the previous matches has proved that we are capable of beating any side on a particular day.”
Bencherifa went on to add, “The spirit in the team is good and I hope they carry the same tempo on Sunday. It is never easy playing against JCT. Still I am confident they will give a good account of themselves.”
The coach has injury worries. Ghanaian striker Yakubu Yusif is nursing injuries while midfielder Anthony Barbosa suffered an injury during the practice session on Saturday and the final decision will be taken tomorrow whether to field him or not.
However the coach has good news. His Nigerian striker Ekene Ikena has fully recovered from his injury and is expected to be fielded.
“We toiled hard to reach the second position and our main aim is to win the remaining matches in the first leg,” Bencherifa stated.
Bencherifa will bank on Tomba Singh, Rocus Lamare and Francis Fernandes to take control of the midfield and will once again look on his strikers Japan import Ryuji Sueoka and Marcus Mascarenhas to fire on all the cylinders.
JCT will sorely miss the services of their striker Balwant Singh, who has been ruled out owing to injuries and defender Randeep Singh suspended due to a yellow card booking.
However, coach Parminder Singh is still hoping that his team will come good on Sunday. “We have come with only two foreigners – Nurain Kareem and Keke and I am aware that Salgaocar are a good side and are in a strong position. We set our own goals and though we know we have a difficult task having drawn our previous match against AIFF, we will fight for a win,” concluded Singh.