MARGAO
Dempo Sports Club will face Namdhari FC on Tuesday at the Namdhari FC Stadium in Ludhiana in a crucial I-League encounter. The match is scheduled to kick off at 2:00 PM.
Dempo comes into the game on the back of a comfortable 2-0 victory over Shillong Lajong FC. Head coach Samir Naik acknowledged that Namdhari FC will be a tough opponent but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to deliver a positive result. He hopes his side will continue playing “excellent football” as they strive for a win.
Both teams are eager for a victory to strengthen their position in the league standings. While a win would secure top spot for Dempo, Namdhari FC will need all three points to climb away from the relegation zone. Currently, Dempo is tied at the top of the table with 4 points, although Real Kashmir holds the top spot on goal difference. Namdhari FC sits just above the bottom of the table with 1 point, ahead of Bengaluru FC.
Despite a challenging season for Dempo, their commanding performance against Lajong has kept them in the hunt for a higher position. Coach Naik is confident that his team is ready for the crucial clash. "We are playing for the win. We know Namdhari are at the bottom and playing in front of their home crowd. Our goal is to secure all three points," he said.
Naik expressed satisfaction with his team's progress, highlighting the improvement in performance with each match. "Our victory does not mean there were no mistakes. Those mistakes must be corrected if we want to challenge for titles," he stressed.
Reflecting on the team’s approach, Naik emphasized the importance of building on their recent win. "We have turned the page on the match against Lajong and are focused on the upcoming game. We are determined to achieve victory," he said.
Naik acknowledged that the match against Namdhari will be difficult, as they are a formidable team. "We are confident in our ability to win and secure three points," he stated. "It’s crucial for us to provide a strong performance and start the match as we did against Lajong. But most importantly, we must maintain that performance until the final whistle."
He also noted the challenges posed by injuries and absences in the squad. "We have no excuses, but we have suffered from many absences and injuries," Naik concluded.
Dempo will be aiming for a decisive win to maintain their momentum and continue their climb up the I-League table.
