MARGAO
Dempo Sports Club will host FC Goa targeting a victory in the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy at Ella ground, Old Goa on Friday at 4 pm.
Dempo have had three points and loss against Brisbane Roar FC while FC Goa occupy the top spot with 6 points.
Speaking ahead of the match, Dempo’s coach Samir Naik termed FC Goa as a difficult opposition. “We will be playing a team that has achieved good results last season. They are a team that is difficult to beat as a group. They have individual brilliance and have players who can make a difference,” said the Naik.
The coach added, “We know that we will need to play a very good match, we must continue with the same approach as the last match. There were moments when the team played well and we showed a strong competitive spirit. We need to continue in the same way in order to compete at a high level against FC Goa."
“We know that the match against FC Goa will be a different match and in a different scenario, so we will try to continue on the same path and do our best to achieve victory.
“This is the type of match which is considered as a big derby, so I think it is a good opportunity for the fans to enjoy a good football atmosphere. Everyone knows that it is a big match and the three points are important, so we hope that our fans will be with us during this match,” stressed Naik.
"It’s an important match for us and our goal is to return to the top again. All our focus is currently on the match against Indian Super league outfit FC Goa and I hope that the team will be ready and all players are fully prepared,” added the former defender.
"FC Goa are focused and confident in order to continue the victories after the two wins. We have high morale in order to keep working and correcting the mistakes, so we can beat Dempo and please our fans," said the FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez
“FC Goa must appear strongly in the upcoming match. We play an important and popular match outside our stadium and we seek to achieve victory but this cannot be achieved unless we face the opponents with a high fighting spirit and full of concentration from the start till the final whistle. Dempo are not easy opponents and we must do our best possible to get the victory we seek,” he explained.
“Preparations are in full swing and everyone is giving their best in training, and we are determined to present a strong performance." said Manolo who will miss the services of Iker, Lara and Sandesh Jhinghan owning injury. The coach hinted that few players from development side will play in tomorrow's match.
