MARGAO
Dempo head coach Samir Naik feels that his team needs to develop a winning mentality in the I-League 3-Play offs and be more courageous rather than entering the tournament with a try not to lose attitude.
Naik said the club's 'first step' is to qualify for the I-League. The team is currently training at Dempo Academy ground, Ella, Old Goa for the upcoming I-League 3 play offs. "For us the first step is now to get into the I-League 3 play off," Naik told The Goan Everyday on Thursday.
Dempo are clubbed with Sporting Clube de Goa, Klasa, Champion of Group D and Champion of Group E.
"We know how competitive the tournament can be. However, Dempo will be well prepared as other teams will also be going for glory."
Samir Naik spoke about the team's preparation, "It has been couple of weeks 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."
"What is important from our point of view is to have a belief in what you are trying to do. It's critical that we are not taking part in tournaments at youth level with a mentality that 'we try not to lose' rather than 'we play to win'. This means we need to have to look closely at our style of football which will give us the best chance of winning in the long term. We will aim to be more courageous in our football style,” added Naik.
"I was really pleased that the players out there on the field did their job and took responsibility. It wasn’t perfect because we actually made quite a few mistakes and I’d rather have us not make those mistakes. But I think that was maybe the best learning from this tournament that we can be very good but also when we’re not so good, we actually are a very tough team to beat,” said Naik who intends to field three experienced players from the senior team which will be subjected to their fitness and performance.
With a finely-tuned team comprising a decent mix of dashing youngsters and battle-hardened at his disposal, Naik was raring to make an early impact in the tournament. The former Dempo defender expressed his confidence in his team, ahead of the upcoming I League . “We are very excited to start. We are training well and we are looking forward to a strong start, in a competition that will be difficult for everyone.
