MARGAON: This is the match we all have been waiting for. And the mood stays different in the two camps. East Bengal stay a bit desperate; it’s understandable. It’s Now or Never for the Red and Gold. Unless they are able to register a win against Dempo at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Friday (April 20), it will be all over.
On the other hand, with two matches remaining, Dempo just need a point to pocket the I-League for a record fifth time. And despite knowing they are on the brink, Dempo Sports Club coach Armando Colaco remains confident that his team can get the desired result.
Dempo stay at the top of the League table with 53 points from 24 matches while East Bengal are on 44 points from 23 matches.
Armando remains keen to wrap up the title in front of the home crowd itself. “Leaving it for the last match will be dangerous. I am sure that we can get a positive result against East Bengal and the boys understand the importance of the challenge,” said the former India Coach.
Dempo have been in blazing form in the last two matches at Fatorda as they won recorded convincing wins against Churchill Brothers (4-2) and then Sporting Clube de Goa (4-1).
“We have experienced players who know what to do. I do not need to remind them,” Armando reiterated.
Armando is expected to field the same squad which demolished Sporting Clube although there was renewed hope that defender Mahesh Gawli could return from injury.
“I don’t find myself under any pressure. There is nothing to lose for us against East Bengal. The pressure in fact is on East Bengal as it is a must win match for them and they are playing away from home,” added the Dempo Coach.
East Bengal have been going about their business in a quiet manner and coach Trevor Morgan remains confident that his team can upset the odds and get a favourable result. East Bengal have won just once in 11 attempts against Dempo in the I-League at Fatorda.
However, Morgan rubbished Armando’s claim that East Bengal are under pressure. “The I-League title is for Dempo to lose. The pressure is not on us; it’s on them,” Morgan commented.
“We are going into this match knowing that we need a win and nothing else. I am aware that even if we win this match, we may still not be Champions. But in the last stages, nothing can be predictable,” Morgan explained.
East Bengal will be missing Nigerian defender Uga Okpara and India U-23 Captain Raju Gaikwad will be replacing him.
The kick-off is slated for 6pm and the match would be telacast live on Ten Action Plus and News Time Bangla.
Meanwhile, the I-League Committee meeting which was represented by the I-League Clubs, decided to present Winners Trophy for the I-League Champions during the last round of the I-League. The venue will be finalised as per the I-League points table.
THE CALCULATION
• A draw in either of their remaining two matches is enough for Dempo SC to win I-League.
• If East Bengal win all their remaining three matches and Dempo lose both their remaining two matches, East Bengal will win the I-League.
FROM THE HISTORY BOOK
• This Season, East Bengal have beaten Dempo in all their clashes. Apart from the 2-1 victory in the first leg of the I-League, East Bengal beat Dempo 1-0 in the Group Stage of Federation Cup.
• This is Dempo SC’s 283rd match in the League and they have scored 453 goals in I-League/NFL so far.
• On the other hand, this is East Bengal’s 336th match in the League and they have scored 486 goals in I-League/NFL so far.
HEAD TO HEAD:
On the other hand, with two matches remaining, Dempo just need a point to pocket the I-League for a record fifth time. And despite knowing they are on the brink, Dempo Sports Club coach Armando Colaco remains confident that his team can get the desired result.
Dempo stay at the top of the League table with 53 points from 24 matches while East Bengal are on 44 points from 23 matches.
Armando remains keen to wrap up the title in front of the home crowd itself. “Leaving it for the last match will be dangerous. I am sure that we can get a positive result against East Bengal and the boys understand the importance of the challenge,” said the former India Coach.
Dempo have been in blazing form in the last two matches at Fatorda as they won recorded convincing wins against Churchill Brothers (4-2) and then Sporting Clube de Goa (4-1).
“We have experienced players who know what to do. I do not need to remind them,” Armando reiterated.
Armando is expected to field the same squad which demolished Sporting Clube although there was renewed hope that defender Mahesh Gawli could return from injury.
“I don’t find myself under any pressure. There is nothing to lose for us against East Bengal. The pressure in fact is on East Bengal as it is a must win match for them and they are playing away from home,” added the Dempo Coach.
East Bengal have been going about their business in a quiet manner and coach Trevor Morgan remains confident that his team can upset the odds and get a favourable result. East Bengal have won just once in 11 attempts against Dempo in the I-League at Fatorda.
However, Morgan rubbished Armando’s claim that East Bengal are under pressure. “The I-League title is for Dempo to lose. The pressure is not on us; it’s on them,” Morgan commented.
“We are going into this match knowing that we need a win and nothing else. I am aware that even if we win this match, we may still not be Champions. But in the last stages, nothing can be predictable,” Morgan explained.
East Bengal will be missing Nigerian defender Uga Okpara and India U-23 Captain Raju Gaikwad will be replacing him.
The kick-off is slated for 6pm and the match would be telacast live on Ten Action Plus and News Time Bangla.
Meanwhile, the I-League Committee meeting which was represented by the I-League Clubs, decided to present Winners Trophy for the I-League Champions during the last round of the I-League. The venue will be finalised as per the I-League points table.
THE CALCULATION
• A draw in either of their remaining two matches is enough for Dempo SC to win I-League.
• If East Bengal win all their remaining three matches and Dempo lose both their remaining two matches, East Bengal will win the I-League.
FROM THE HISTORY BOOK
• This Season, East Bengal have beaten Dempo in all their clashes. Apart from the 2-1 victory in the first leg of the I-League, East Bengal beat Dempo 1-0 in the Group Stage of Federation Cup.
• This is Dempo SC’s 283rd match in the League and they have scored 453 goals in I-League/NFL so far.
• On the other hand, this is East Bengal’s 336th match in the League and they have scored 486 goals in I-League/NFL so far.
HEAD TO HEAD:
Total Matches Played: 25
Matches won by Dempo SC: 6
Matches won by East Bengal: 10
Drawn matches: 9
Goals scored by Dempo: 35
Goals scored by East Bengal: 40
MEETING IN FIRST-LEG
December 15, 2011:
East Bengal 2 (Penn Orji, Tolgay Ozbey)
beat
Dempo SC 1 (Clifford Miranda)
HIGHEST MARGIN OF VICTORY
March 26, 2006:
East Bengal 5 (Endem, Bhaichung Bhutia, Debabrata Roy (a brace), Syed Rahim Nabi)
beat
Dempo SC 3 (Ranti Martins (a brace), Majek Bolaji).
April 22, 2007
Dempo SC 5 (Beto – a brace; Ranti Martins – a brace; John Dias)
beat
East Bengal 3 (Edmilson – a brace; Ashim Biswas).
Matches won by Dempo SC: 6
Matches won by East Bengal: 10
Drawn matches: 9
Goals scored by Dempo: 35
Goals scored by East Bengal: 40
MEETING IN FIRST-LEG
December 15, 2011:
East Bengal 2 (Penn Orji, Tolgay Ozbey)
beat
Dempo SC 1 (Clifford Miranda)
HIGHEST MARGIN OF VICTORY
March 26, 2006:
East Bengal 5 (Endem, Bhaichung Bhutia, Debabrata Roy (a brace), Syed Rahim Nabi)
beat
Dempo SC 3 (Ranti Martins (a brace), Majek Bolaji).
April 22, 2007
Dempo SC 5 (Beto – a brace; Ranti Martins – a brace; John Dias)
beat
East Bengal 3 (Edmilson – a brace; Ashim Biswas).
(AIFF)
0 comments