Dempo SC are coming off a hard-fought 1-0 win against Namdhari FC.
Photo Credits: I-League
PANAJI
Dempo SC are set to face SC Bengaluru in their fourth match of the I-League 2024-25 season at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Saturday.
Coming off a hard-fought 1-0 win against Namdhari FC, secured by Matija Babovic’s lone strike, Dempo SC are currently sitting in third place on the league table, with seven points from three matches—boasting two wins and one draw.
On the other hand, SC Bengaluru, the I-League 2 champions from last season, are struggling at the bottom of the standings. The Bengaluru-based side is yet to pick up a point, having suffered three consecutive defeats, the most recent coming at home against Churchill Brothers.
Reflecting on his team's performance in their win over Namdhari, Dempo coach Samir said, "The boys played well. We worked hard, stayed together, and remained compact—those were key elements in getting the result." However, with just three days of recovery between fixtures, Samir acknowledged the challenge of quick turnarounds, stating, “As professionals, we have to be ready for all challenges. It's okay—we have to take it as a challenge. We’ve travelled and now we’re playing again in such quick succession."
Last season, Dempo also faced SC Bengaluru at the same venue during the I-League 2. When asked about the upcoming match, Samir emphasized the difference between the two leagues. "This is a completely different league," he said. "We’ve worked on certain things, and hopefully, we will give our best. We’ve been doing that consistently, not only last season or this year but throughout the season—when we are together as a team."
Churchill Brothers vs Gokulam Kerala
Churchill Brothers are all set to take on Gokulam Kerala FC in a highly anticipated I-League encounter this Saturday at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode. The match promises to be an exciting affair, with both teams eager to claim crucial points.
Gokulam Kerala FC, currently unbeaten in the I-League after three rounds, have been in solid form. After a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Sreenidi Deccan in their season opener, they secured two consecutive 1-1 draws against Real Kashmir in Srinagar and Aizawl FC at home. Despite the draws, Gokulam remains one of the top contenders in the league and will be looking to add a second win to their tally.
Churchill Brothers, who are coming off a spectacular 3-1 victory over SC Bengaluru, will be looking to build on their momentum. Their season started with a 2-2 draw against Shillong Lajong, followed by a narrow 2-1 loss to Sreenidi Deccan. The Red Machines, under the leadership of their new coach Dimitris Dimitriou are determined to take the fight to Gokulam and improve their standing in the league.
The match is set to be a special one for Gokulam's head coach, Antonio Rueda, who will face his former employers. Rueda, a Spaniard, expressed gratitude towards Churchill Brothers for giving him his first opportunity in Indian football but emphasized that his focus now lies on securing all three points for Gokulam in this crucial encounter.
