I-League Media Team

GOA: Dempo Sports Club are hoping against hope that they can get something out of their penultimate Hero I-League clash against Bengaluru FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday.

Dempo are staring at relegation after being at the bottom of the league ladder with 18 points, the same as Salgaocar FC and Bharat FC. Salgaocar have a comparatively easier game at home against Bharat FC and the Pune side are free from relegation for three years, leaving Dempo with a mammoth task.

“It’s close. It’s still in our hands, though. That’s all you can ask for from football and it’s still down to us,” said Dempo coach Trevor Morgan.

Dempo can beat relegation if they can grab victories in their last two matches, not such an easy task considering they have to play the Hero I-League champions on Saturday and arch rival Salgaocar FC a week later.

Morgan has identified the club’s inability to find the back of the net as a serious  problem and this was evident in their last game against Salgaocar FC where players like Tolgay Ozbey,  Francis Fernandes and Alwyn George all had
chances but could not convert. Against Bengaluru FC, it will not be easy.

“Bengaluru have been consistent throughout. They’re top of the league, not by fluke, but because they deserve to be there. We expect nothing less than a difficult game,” said Morgan.

Bengaluru FC are chasing the title and are tied on points with Mohun Bagan, who they play at home in their concluding game. Bengaluru FC will be confident that they can have one hand on the trophy if they can get a positive result in their last away match.

Ashley Westwood’s side, though, will be confident as they defeated Dempo 3-0 in the final of the Federation Cup and have never lost a match to any Goan opposition in Goa during regulation time.

The visitors can also exploit the weakness in the Dempo side as they are set to miss three foreign players. While Carlos Hernandez and Haroon Amiri are both injured and unavailable, there was a huge question mark over the availability of defender Calum Angus, who limped out with an injury in the last match.

Dempo held Bengaluru FC in their away match at the Kanteerava stadium.

Kick-off: 23-05-2015@7 PM
 

Hashtag: #DEMvBFC