MARGAO
Five-time champions Dempo Sports Club will host Shillong Lajong FC in an eagerly anticipated I-League clash at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday at 4:30 pm. Both teams have played nine matches so far, with Shillong Lajong sitting in fifth place with 22 points, while Dempo are in eighth with 18 points.
Dempo will be hoping to strengthen their position in the league table and reduce the gap, with the Goan heavyweights known for their high-intensity performances expected to deliver another thrilling encounter.
Dempo head coach Samir Naik is determined to lead his team to victory despite missing some key players. He expressed confidence in his team's preparation, saying, "We are giving this match a lot of attention because we are working hard to achieve a win. We're focused on sealing the three points."
Naik continued, “We’ve been continuously working with the players to get them physically, technically, and psychologically prepared for this important match. I’m hoping for a special performance from the team, despite the challenges.”
He also added, “Right now, we’re in a good place technically and physically, and I expect the team to reach their best level to secure the three points.”
Naik emphasized the importance of the match: “This is a crucial game, especially since it’s on our home ground, in front of our fans. We want to continue our successful journey in the championship.”
On a positive note for Dempo, all foreign players will be available for the match, including Ivory Coast’s Didier Broossu, Nigeria’s Lukman Adefi, Damien Perez, as well as Spanish Juan Mera and Trinidad’s Marcus Joseph.
Shillong Lajong FC head coach, Jose Carlos Hevia, acknowledged the difficulty of facing Dempo, saying, "This match will be just as tough as the last one. We need to be well-prepared to achieve our goal, which is to win and collect the three points."
Hevia praised Dempo, saying, “Dempo are a strong team with high-level players. They’re looking to win and move up the table, so we must be ready to face them with the right mindset.”
He added, "I have full confidence in our players, and they are aware of the responsibility that comes with this match."
Hevia also expressed his determination to improve from the first leg, where Shillong Lajong lost to Dempo: “Our goal is to get positive results and collect as many points as possible, especially as we look to climb up the league standings. We hope to deliver a strong performance like we did in our last match, and we are determined to get the three points to continue our winning streak.”
