The Goan Network
PANAJISalgaocar FC host Sporting Clube de Goa in an I-League fixture at Vasco on Saturday. The result of the match would determine which side finishes in the fourth position on the table.
The two Goan sides have had contrasting campaigns, with Salgaocar FC escaping from the cusp of relegation with a fine showing at the latter part of the season while Sporting Clube de Goa let go of their title prospect. Salgaocar FC are at the sixth spot on the table heading into the final fixture after a string of solid performances at the business end of the tournament.
They were at the bottom of the table and most football fans would have written them off to avoid
relegation after four losses in their first four games, but the appointment of Santosh Kashyap changed things around drastically.
Big wins against Kingfisher East Bengal at home and DSK Shivajians away turned the tide in Kashyap’s favour and Darryl Duffy’s impressive run of form proved vital. Salgaocar FC has their full squad available for selection with Duffy being the only doubt.
The Vasco-based side has the opportunity to finish at the fourth spot if they win their game against their cross-city rivals and if Mumbai FC drop points versus DSK Shivajains and will be breathing a sigh of relief. However, they cannot afford to take Saturday’s fixture lightly, with Sporting winning two of their last five games, whilst the Greens have managed to win just once.
Santosh Kashyap spoke about his side’s momentum heading into the game, “We come here after playing two tough matches; we did well in Aizawl but couldn’t execute our plan in Bengaluru. This is a different game; we play at home so that’s definitely an advantage also the team looks to be in a good shape. From our last match we want to achieve a respectable position in the table, so yes a win here can take us to the fourth spot,” Kashyap stated.
Sporting Clube de Goa walk into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw versus Kingfisher East Bengal at the Barasat Stadium last week. They played their last home game two weeks ago, with a 5-2 annihilation of Shillong Lajong at the Fatorda Stadium.
