Margaon: Even though league leaders Dempo SC have an easy task in hand when they take on the bottom placed HAL after I-League comes out of a break, their coach Armando Colaco is not anything for granted and would look to avoid complacency tomorrow at Nehru Stadium here.

Dempo lead the league ladder with 43 points while HAL are fighting relegation with s.even points at the end of the 20th round. Dempo coach Colaco, however, believes that HAL will be difficult to handle than most of their supporters would like to believe.

“Our complacency and their determination is a deadly combination. If we do not stay on our guard, they will have the last laugh,” warned Colaco.

Colaco, back with the team after spending more than a month at home following a cardiac arrest, is aware what HAL can do. Last year, quite unexpectedly, HAL stunned Dempo at home in the final game and thus saved themselves from the pangs of relegation. Also, the shocking result meant Dempo missed out on the second spot.

“I have repeatedly warned the players that this is a match in which we need to be careful. We are resuming I-League action after a long while and there is bound to be some difference. I want my boys to stay focused,” said the former India coach.

Colaco will miss international midfielder Clifford Miranda who has not yet recovered from his injury. Clifford’s spot is most likely to be taken up by Peter Carvalho.

With just six more matches to be played, HAL are staring at relegation. They have a poor seven points and must win at least four of their next six matches and hope the likes of Chirag United Kerala and Mumbai FC do not add to their points tally. It’s a tough ask for the visitors and with Dempo lying in wait, it could get even tougher.

By Indian Sports News Network