CHARLES D'SOUZA
MARGAO
With just one point needed to secure their return to Indian football's top flight, Dempo Sports Club will be anxious to get the job done in front of their home fans when they lock horns with Minerva Academy Football Club in their concluding match of the Second Division I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Sunday. The kick-off is at 4 pm.
Dempo, who enjoy a two-point advantage (20 points) at the top of the table, require just a draw in the concluding game of the league to win the trophy and seal their comeback to the I-League. Minerva, the debutants from Punjab who have had an impressive campaign, are second with 18 points and need an outright win to secure a fairytale entry into the I-League. However, this will be their biggest test against an intimidating Dempo attack. Dempo also carry the psychological edge of beating Minerva in the away fixture in Chandigarh.
His team might be a win away from returning to the Indian football elite, but Dempo head coach Mauricio Afonso said his team is not feeling any added pressure. The former India captain said that his side was approaching the tie against Minerva just like any other game and will be keen to get the job done at the Nehru Stadium on Sunday.
"It's just another game of football. We know what we have to do “ win. The league is in our hands and we are well equipped. I am hopeful we will put in a good performance and get the result we are after," Afonso told 'The Goan Everyday' on the eve of the match.
"Last year we were relegated from the I-League. We were gutted... so we are hungrier this year. We have to go all out and do our best," he added, indicating that his side will hold nothing back and will be eyeing to settle the league in front of their fans at Fatorda.
Dempo have a few injury worries but Afonso remained optimistic of his side's performance on Sunday. Thus, with the title at the stake, composure and character as much as tactics will influence the outcome of the match. Dempo are looking distinctly more confident because only a draw would suffice for them. So everything points to a mouth-watering contest on Sunday and with the odds in favour Dempo, Minerva will have to do all the running if they hope to make it into the elite league. Dempo will miss the services of striker Uttam Rai, midfielder Jewel Raja Shaikh and Bevan D'Mello due to injuries. Striker Holicharan Nazary will also miss the match as he is attending the India camp for the forthcoming 2019 Asian Qualifier match against Laos.
Afonso said his team is wary of the Chandigarh team capable of punishing anyone on their day. "They are an organized side and are hard to break down. They are in good form and play with no fear... A side playing without fear: that's something we need to be wary of," Afonso pointed out.
Dempo will see Nigerian striker Felix Odili Chidi and Milagres Gonsalves pair upfront while Peter Carvalho, Germanpreet Singh, Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai will make up the midfield. Chika Wali and Mohammed Ali are likely to marshal the rearguard again and Shallum Pires and Nickson Castana will take up the roles of wing backs.
Meanwhile, Dempo goalkeeper and captain Laxmikant Kattimani has urged the fans to “throng the stands”. “Nehru Stadium has never disappointed when it comes to filling up the fortress. Let’s do it once again for the Dempo team. It’s your team. Stand together and back the Blue,” he urged.
Kattimani felt that the fans can be the “strength” behind the team. “This is what we have been waiting for. I’m sure even this is what the fans have been waiting for. They should come out in numbers and be behind the team; be the strength to achieve this victory.”
