MARGAO, Dec 13: ONGC have targeted their 11th round clash against Salgaocar Sports Club as an “apt tie” to turn their fortunes around at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Friday (December 14).
ONGC are at the bottom of the pool with six points from five matches. They have won just one match and that too against defending champions Dempo Sports Club.
Salgaocar are also in the relegation zone with six points and, like their Mumbai counterparts, have won just once in ten attempts.
“We are struggling at the moment and everyone can see that. We have problems and it’s largely because a lot of our players are injured,” said ONGC coach Subrata Bhattacharya.
The ONGC coach said five of his leading players were not being included because they were either not fit enough or are yet to rejoin the team due to personal problems.
“I am not blaming the players I have at the moment. They are all good but when we have to play so many matches, we need some replacements as well. These players are all tired,” said Subrata, whose team was hammered 0-5 by Churchill Brothers in the previous clash at Fatorda.
The ONGC coach said their sole aim was to save relegation and should they not be able to collect full points against struggling Salgaocar, he admitted they would find it tough towards the second half of the tournament.
Salgaocar Football Club are also grappling with injuries as Anthony D’Souza and Francis Fernandes are major doubts while captain Luciano Sobroza also picked up a niggle during training on Wednesday.
“We need to start winning. Full points are what we need at the moment,” said technical director Peter Valles.
“ONGC will be as tough as any other side, despite being at the bottom of the pool. We have been doing well but converting chances has been a problem for the team,” said Valles.
The kick-off is at 4.00pm.
ONGC are at the bottom of the pool with six points from five matches. They have won just one match and that too against defending champions Dempo Sports Club.
Salgaocar are also in the relegation zone with six points and, like their Mumbai counterparts, have won just once in ten attempts.
“We are struggling at the moment and everyone can see that. We have problems and it’s largely because a lot of our players are injured,” said ONGC coach Subrata Bhattacharya.
The ONGC coach said five of his leading players were not being included because they were either not fit enough or are yet to rejoin the team due to personal problems.
“I am not blaming the players I have at the moment. They are all good but when we have to play so many matches, we need some replacements as well. These players are all tired,” said Subrata, whose team was hammered 0-5 by Churchill Brothers in the previous clash at Fatorda.
The ONGC coach said their sole aim was to save relegation and should they not be able to collect full points against struggling Salgaocar, he admitted they would find it tough towards the second half of the tournament.
Salgaocar Football Club are also grappling with injuries as Anthony D’Souza and Francis Fernandes are major doubts while captain Luciano Sobroza also picked up a niggle during training on Wednesday.
“We need to start winning. Full points are what we need at the moment,” said technical director Peter Valles.
“ONGC will be as tough as any other side, despite being at the bottom of the pool. We have been doing well but converting chances has been a problem for the team,” said Valles.
The kick-off is at 4.00pm.
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