The Goan Network
Panaji
After the two-week international break, the Hero I-League is back as Salgaocar FC host DSK Shivajians at Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Friday.
Salgaocar are currently placed in the fifth position on the table, with 12 points to their credit out of 11 games played. After languishing in the relegation zone for the majority of their campaign, the Vasco-based side has the opportunity to find themselves in the fifth position, if they pick up all three points versus DSK.
Santosh Kashyap has come in and after a dismal start to the season under Malky Thomson which saw the Greens lose four out of as many games. Despite succumbing to a couple of defeats, Kashyap has helped a largely unfit side fight with vigour and as a result, they have achieved some impressive results.
The Greens head into the fixture on the back of a 1-0 win against Shillong Lajong courtesy of a Gilbert Oliviera long-ranger. The win meant Salgaocar bagged back-to-back wins in the I-League, with the first win coming against title-aspirants Kingfisher East Bengal.
“We are injury free except Reagen who has some recovery to be done. Augustin has played two intensity games with the national side and I’ll have to assess him.” Kashyap said ahead of the game.
“The game is very important for us considering how close teams are in the table. We are confident to get three points” he added.
Their opponents on Saturday however, will do their utmost to ensure that Salgaocar’s ambitions are curtailed.
DSK Shivajians’ last fixture was a 3-1 win over Sporting Clube de Goa. A brace from Douhou Pierre and an Aser Dipanda goal ensured that Derrick Pereira’s side dominated a hapless looking Flaming Oranje.
The Pune outfit took their time but have developed into a strong unit as the season has progressed. Procuring Sandesh Jhinghan has given their defense some stealth while Juan Quero’s signing has added a new dimension to their attack.
Derrick Pereira gave an injury update on his side before the game, “We have our full squad fit. Only Justin Stephen picked up a knock yesterday and we will have to take a call on him,” Pereira said on his return to Tilak Maidan as an away manager.
“I expect a tough challenge tomorrow. We are prepared to play in the afternoon heat,” he added
The emphasis will be on the trio of Quero-Dipanda-Douhou to link up and wreck Salgaocar FC defence. The Greens will have to guard themselves against DSK Shivajians, but possess some stealth in their attack as well to overcome the challenge. The game kicks off at 4:30 pm and will be streamed live on www.i-league.org.
