Margao: After a break in action fror a few days, Dempo Sports Club are all geared up to take on Mumbai FC on Thursday in their second encounter of the I-League football tournament at Nehru Stadium here.
Both teams started their I-League campaign in style. Dempo defeated Salgaocar Sports Club 1-0, while Mumbai FC scored a resounding 4-1 win over Air-India. Dempo coach Armando Colaco is expected to field the same team that beat Salgaocar, against Mumbai FC.
The win against Salgaocar has boosted their confidence. “The boys really played well in humid condition. We missed a few chances until Ranty Martins got the winner in the second half. On the whole I am happy,” stated Colaco. Martins will lead the attack along with Joaquim Abranches.
Mahesh Gawli, who marshalled the defence well to earn man of the match award in the last match, will lead the charge along with Cresson Antao, Debrata Roy and Sameer Naik. Mumbai FC striker Sampath Kuttymani, who scored a brace against Air-India, will be closely watched. “Mumbai FC is a tough side, who like us, have got a good start as they beat Air India comprehensively. We need to play the same way as we did against Salgaocar to get past them,” stated Colaco. Mumbai FC started the season well and retained the Nadkarni Cup. But coach Khalid Jamil is not going to take things easy as they face a tough side in Dempo, one of the best teams in India who have most of their players playing for the national team.
Pune FC to face Sporting
Pune FC will seek to open their account when they take on Sporting Clube de Goa in I-League football at the Balewadi Sports Complex here Friday.Both sides go into this encounter with a point each after registering identical results with different scorelines from their opening matches.
Pune FC played their last match with Shillong Lajong which ended in a draw. (Agencies)