MARGAO
The Goa Football Association’s season-opening charity match will be played on Friday with a blockbuster clash between reigning Pro League champions Sporting Clube de Goa and runners-up Dempo Sports Club, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa (4 pm kick-off).
Both teams have a big fan base all over the State and expectations will be high from the supporters of the two former top-flight (I-League) teams. Dempo coach Samir Naik is no stranger to pressure having managed the Golden Eagles as an assistant coach from the dugout under head coach Mauricio Afonso, who earned the team a promotion to the I-League after they were relegated to the I-League Second Division under the stewardship of Australian coach Arthur Papas.
Now Dempo’s head coach, Naik admitted that his side will have to carry the weight of expectations after falling short of the Pro League title last season.
“We talk a lot about the pressure with the players and they are ready for it,” Naik said. “The charity match and the Pro League is the priority for us. We have trained well during the preparatory period and played a friendly match against (Indian Super League side) Odisha FC. We always think about the game that awaits us,” Naik said.
“The team has juniors who have passed out from the Dempo Football Academy. The training is going well. We want to show a good combination in this match,” the former India player said.
Sporting Clube, meanwhile, will be led by their passionate head coach Savio Vaz. “We are excited about the charity match. Dempo are formidable opponents and this duel carries so much weight and history. So we know that we are up against,” Vaz said.
“Our team is a combination of youngsters and seniors. We have retained the last season’s squad. Having the same players could give us the edge,” the Flaming Oranje coach said.
