MARGAO
Former champions Dempo Sports Club are looking to maintain their winning form as they meet FC Bengaluru United in the away game at the I-League 2, at Padukone and Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, Bengaluru, on Wednesday.
The Golden Eagles after a shaky start to their campaign need points to keep their hopes alive for the I League title. Dempo will miss the services of midfielder Vieri Colaco and striker Shubham Rawat Colaco for the match as the former is serving one match suspension while the latter suffered a hamstring injury.
Dempo are currently third in the league with 14 points and are five points behind leaders FC Bengaluru United.
The Samir Naik -coached side thrashed Maharashtra Oranje FC 4-1 last Saturday with the Former international saying that the team is ready to go all out for another victory.
“We play attacking football but we will adopt the strategy based on the match situation. We have come here to take three points and we will give our best to win the match,” said Samir Naik.
“We expect a good crowd turn out supporting the home team but that will motivate us in the match too,” he added.
Necio Fernandes said his team’s big victory against the Maharashtra team side in the previous match will mean nothing in the return leg.
“It is a new game which will be played in a new atmosphere and it is going to be a challenging match for both the teams,” said the attacking midfielder.
“We have done very well in our recent matches and we are looking forward to maintain our winning form against Bengaluru side,” Fernandes added.
“We want to forget the past. The defeats at the hands of FC Bengaluru United in home match should not be an excuse for not playing well tomorrow. The boys are in good spirits and are ready for the challenge,” Naik said.
“It happens sometimes for all the teams as it has happened with us. I told my boys to forget about the past and concentrate on tomorrow’s game. I know the morale of the opposition is high after two successive wins but we have to remain positive,” said the Dempo head coach.
““We have to be on guard and should not be complacent. It is going to be a close contest and whoever utilises the chances that come their way will emerge winners,” said the Dempo coach.
