SHILLONG: Hosts Royal Wahingdoh FC will look to get back to winning ways against an injury-hit Dempo SC in a Round 5 match of the Hero I-League to be played at the JN Stadium in Shillong at 4.30 PM on Saturday.
On the eve of the crucial home tie, Royals coach Santosh Kashyap said that his side has left the defeat against Bengaluru FC behind and is looking forward to the new challenge against Dempo.
“We played good football in the last match too but failed to convert…it’s a league, we cannot win all matches,” Kashyap reiterated adding that his side is confident ahead of the game against the Goan rivals.
After three wins from four games, the Royals are second in the standings with nine points, only a point behind leaders Pune FC. However, making it clear that the Royals are not chasing the table at the moment, Kashyap said that he wants the boys to enjoy their game and not to be under undue pressure.
“I told my players go out and enjoy the game, give their best. There is no pressure of sliding from the top (of the standings) as far as the team is concerned,” Kashyap said.
The Royals, meanwhile, would miss out on the services of star striker Seityasen Singh, newly signed defender Naoba Singh and right back Lallawmzuala (Lawma) all of whom are nursing minor injuries.
Dempo coach Arthur Papas on the other hand will have his work cut out for the game on Saturday.
An injury-hit Dempo is likely to miss out on the services of as many as eight of their top players including Haroon Amiri, Pronoy Halder, Jewel Raja, Romeo Fernandes, Calum Angus, Narayan Das and Peter Carvalho.
However, Papas asserted that his boys will give their best against the formidable hosts.
“There is no excuse when you come for a game. Whoever makes it to the playing XI will have a job to do for Dempo,” he added.
He also praised Kashyap and Royal Wahingdoh for their good show in the tournament so far.
“Royal Wahingdoh has made a fantastic start to the league, their coach is doing a good job in building a team that plays a really interesting style of football which is very attractive to watch and difficult to come up against,” he said adding that his side has to play to its strength and try to control the game and be proactive with the ball.
He also had a word of praise for the home fans and the atmosphere in the JN Stadium.
