Starting with an all-Indian squad, Dempo’s youngsters showed grit and determination in their 1-0 win against Delhi FC in the last game.
Panaji: The
I-League
is now at the half-way stage, yet
Dempo SC
have not been able to start with the permissible quota of four foreign players.
Syrian defender, Shaher Shaheen, who has played the most games amongst the foreigners, missed out the last one with an injury. New signing Didier Brossou (Ivory Coast) is carrying a niggle, Nigerian forward Lukman Adefemi is not fully fit and Argentine Damian Perez is making a comeback from a hamstring issue.
It is not an ideal situation for a coach, but
Samir Naik
is unperturbed and could start with an all-Indian line up once again when they host
Rajasthan United FC
at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday.
Starting with an all-Indian squad, Dempo’s youngsters showed grit and determination in their 1-0 win against Delhi FC in the last game. Even as Perez came on as a second half substitute, it was Kapil Hoble and Nestor Dias who combined for the winner which ended Dempo’s five-match winless streak.
“I always had and have confidence in them (domestic players),” Samir told TOI during the media interaction on Friday.
Samir’s strong belief comes from last season’s campaign in the Second Division League where the team proved their worth and gained promotion.
At the start of the season, Dempo were considering going ahead with an all-Indian squad before deciding to make foreign signings to add experience.
“I feel we did well in all games. Foreigners as well as our Indian players have done very well,” said Samir.
Dempo were cruising in the first five games which took them to the second position in the league table. But injuries, particularly to foreign players, resulted in poor results, despite promising efforts.
Now, Dempo are getting into the rhythm with the win against Delhi a confidence booster. It has taken them to the eighth spot with 14 points from 11 games. A win against Rajasthan will get them back among the top five.
When the teams met in the first leg, it ended 1-1 with Shaher scoring a 77th minute equaliser in Jaipur.
On the other hand, Rajasthan have turned their season around after suffering four straight defeats in the opening rounds. Walter Caprile’s side are now on a seven-match unbeaten run and a place above Dempo with 16 points.
“If you see the league table, there is not much difference between the bottom and the top. Rajasthan is one of the stronger opponents. They play with six good foreigners. I feel all teams in the league are strong with or without foreigners,” said Samir.
Rajasthan are wary of Dempo and Caprile was all praise for Dempo’s defence which has conceded only 10 goals with five clean sheets.
“All the matches are the same for us. It’s a very important game. Dempo is a very good team with good players and a coach. It is important for Rajasthan that we play strong with intensity,” said Caprile.
The kick-off is 3.30pm.
English (US) ·