Bangalore/Margao/Pune: It might be termed as a fight between David and Goliath – Dempo SC taking on HAL in a 12th round clash of the I-League. Dempo stay the league leaders at the moment with 24 points from 11 matches while HAL languish at the bottom of the table – that too with one point.
After keeping a clean slate till the first seven rounds, Armando Colaco’s men suffered successive defeats in the next three rounds but were back to winning ways in their last match against Sporting Clube de Goa.
Nevertheless, Dempo is not taking HAL lightly, “Though, they’ve been on the receiving end, but this is a home match. I only hope they won’t choose this one as their comeback match,” smiled Colaco.
He further reckoned: “We started quite well but the boys became a bit complacent in between. As a result, we lost three consecutive matches. The artificial pitch here is relatively new and is quite an unknown territory for Dempo. It might play a role.”
“All we intend is to pick up three points,” he added.
Nigerian striker Ranty Martins stay on the top of the scorer’s list with 11 goals beside his name and he would be keen to make an impact against HAL. The kick-off is slated for 3pm.
Sporting challenge for Churchill Brothers: Sporting Clube de Goa have been bolstered by the return of their regulars as they prepare to snatch full points from Churchill Brothers at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday (December 28).
Sporting Clube have had a great start to the I-League remaining unbeaten in the first six matches. But in the next five, Sporting have picked up just a solitary points and are now keen to make amends.
“We have been disappointing in the last five matches. We must make amends now or risk inviting more trouble for ourselves,” admitted manager Angelo Albuquerque.
Sporting gave a good account of themselves against Dempo Sports Club, holding the former champions to a goalless draw in the opening session and then taking the lead as well. But they fell apart after the change of ends. “The team against Churchill will be much stronger,” said Albuquerque.
Sporting, indeed, will be stronger as captain Samananda Singh returns to the starting line up after two weeks on the sidelines. Also returning to the starting line-up are strikers Victorino Fernandes and Macroy Peixoto, both of whom sat out of the last game through suspensions.
Churchill Brothers, too, are keen to make amends after slipping quite unexpectedly against Pune FC. Churchill had a chance to open a five point gap at the top, but the team failed to put their best foot forward. Churchill still has a chance to go ahead and, at least this time, believe there will not be any slip ups. Portuguese coach Manuel Gomes is expected to field an unchanged side.
Sporting stay on 13 points from 11 matches while Churchill stay at the second spot with 23 points from same number of matches.
The kick-off is at 3.45pm.
Mumbai FC hope to break Prayag code: After a loss and draw in the last two games, Prayag United SC will be playing on an alien ground against Mumbai FC, a side that has performed with varied intensity and contrasting performances throughout this season.
Prayag stayed undefeated till the end of the ninth round before Chirag United Kerala brought them down to ground at home, something that Mumbai FC is banking on to do in the Round XII clash on Wednesday (December 29).
Mumbai FC hasn’t been that impressive -- but a draw and a comfortable win in the last two matches speaks well for the ‘home’ team who have camping at the Balewadi Sports Complex ground since last 10 days.
“They have an experienced side and have done well to be at the position they are in at this time of the season, but we hope to stop their good run here after finding our form during last two games here,” said Mumbai FC manager Henry Picardo.
To be able to hold Pune FC to a draw was commendable given that the Pune outfit was on a high after winning against defending champion Salgaocar SC and then beating Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore, 4-0.
Mumbai FC can also take heart from the fact that they have no double bookings giving them liberty to choose a full-strength side, even as Noel Wilson remains suspect due to an injury.
“We have watched them (Prayag) play a few matches. Though Prayag look strong given the players they have in the line-up, we have a mix of youth and experience and we hope that they will come out good and do the required job,” hoped Picardo.
If Gbeneme Friday has remained below par, it was Abhishek Yadav who found the form in last couple of matches and that raises Mumbai FC’s hopes. Cavin Lobo and Ebi Sukore too can rattle any opposition on their day.
Prayag on the other hand is a tight outfit at the back, but they have failed to kill off several matches, which cost them several points. Soumik Chakraborty and Yusif Yakubu have been at their best as is Joshimar da Silva Martins, but on a turf that is new to the trio, it will be a contest worth watching.
The kick-off is at 6.30pm.