MARGAO
Dempo head coach Samir Naik on Friday said that the club's "first step" is to qualify for the Third Division I-league.
The champion clubs of each state leagues and also nominated clubs will participate in I-League 3. The National Federation wants to create a competitive pyramid with a concrete progression pathway, aimed to allow even the smallest of clubs to get promoted to the higher divisions. Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra are the nine states that have fulfilled the criteria for nominating teams clubs participating in the inaugural edition. The teams have been divided into four groups of six.
"For us the first step is now to get into the I-League. We have a good team, and we haven't had such a kind of a time for long," Naik told the The Goan.
"We know how competitive the tournament can be but as much Dempo will be as well prepared. Other teams will also be going for glory," he added.
The team is currently training in Dempo Sports Academy, Ella, Old Goa and Dempo SC legend now turned coach spoke about the team's preparation, "It's been long time in camp for the boys and they have responded very well to the circumstances and are adapting to the new normal. We have been working on the players' mental strength and teamwork which will see them communicate better in all departments."
“I highly appreciate the boys for the work they have put in.. I’m happy that these youngsters are so focused. Football keeps all of us united and so does the honour of representing the famed club," said Samir who was appreciative of the team for its efforts.
“I'm sure the match will interesting and good to watch. We will play our attacking game all the teams will come out strong and the boys will respond too and go all guns blazing. We had couple of problems as some players did not participate in the Goa Pro league and later joined the camp," he added.
The Golden Eagles have been clubbed along with ARA FC (Ahmedabad), Kickstart FC (Karnataka), Millat FC (Maharashtra), Bhawanipore FC (West Bengal) and Rangdajied United FC (Meghalaya).
