"We've managed to work fairly consistently over the last few days.Our focus is on the Second Division I-League and the team is ready for Saturday's match,"
Mauricio Afonso, Head coach of Dempo SC
The Goan Network
MARGAO
Dempo head coach Mauricio Afonso said his side are raring to go as the club takes on Sikkim's Gangtok Himalayan in their opening away match of the final round of Second Division I-League at Paljor Stadium, Sikkim on Saturday.
"We've managed to work fairly consistently over the last few days," said Afonso on match eve. Dempo team will feature ISL heroes of the likes of Laximikant Kattimani,Peter Carvalho,Debu,Romeo Fernandes,Jewel Raja, Mandar Rao Dessai, Nigerian striker Felix Odili, Bevan D'Mello, Mohammed Ali,Chika Wali,Uttam Rai, Milagres Gonsalves and Germnanpreet Singh.
The Dempo coach sounded confident when he said that his team was well conditioned and ready for Gangtok's challenge. "Our focus is on the Second Division I-League and the team is ready for Saturday's match," Afonso added. When asked how he would reflect back at the season goneby in terms of Goa Pro League, the gaffer mentioned: "We played with youngsters and most of the players were busy with the ISL teams."
Afonso reiterated that the boys were fully aware of the challenge ahead. "The team has to be on their toes throughout the match if they are accomplished the task on hand.It will be a test of our focus and concentration against Gangtok Himmalayan as they have a tendency of stretching their opponents to their limits. Although we respect them as opponents, we will play for a win and our goal is to start on a winning note," stated the Dempo coach.
“We also have to take our chances against the team. The inability to do so can land us in trouble,”Afonso added.
"I always tell my boys that hard work beats talent and talent doesn’t work hard. You cover the distance, that’s a minimal requirement which one needs to have to play the game,” he quipped.
“We had a look at them and they have some very good individual players in their ranks. They will be competitive and we respect them. I am aware about the fighting instincts of Sikkim players," Afonso summed up.
