GOA: Salgaocar Football Club have been hit hard by injuries and have forced coach Derrick Pereira to think of alternative ways to secure a positive result against Bengaluru FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday.
Already without the suspended Augustine Fernandes, who picked up a red card in the last match against Shillong Lajong FC before the break, Salgaocar are now grappling with several more injuries that includes star striker Darryl Duffy.
“We will be missing several players and it does not look good for us at the moment,” admitted Pereira.
Salgaocar, despite all their limitations, have done reasonably well to pick up 11 points from eight matches, and although they are placed seventh, the leaders — Pune FC — have just four additional points. The Hero I-League has been very competitive this season and Derrick believes every team is being made to sweat for points.
“The league is very unpredictable. You just cannot go into any match thinking points are there for the taking. You need to give your best in every game,” said the Salgaocar coach.
“Bengaluru FC, our opponents for tomorrow, have a wonderful squad and like I always say, they are among the best in the country. They are strong going forward and defensively they have the best centre-back pairing. It’s going to be difficult to break them down,”said Pereira.
Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood will be pleased with Derrick’s assessment of his side. But that’s what every coach would say. BFC, it needs no reminding, is among the better teams in India at the moment and will be among the favourites to retain the title they won last season on debut.
Bengaluru FC are placed third with 14 points from nine matches, while leaders Pune FC have an additional point and two matches in hand.
The visitors have been busy during the break that other teams enjoyed as they were involved in the AFC Cup. They lost their away clash in Indonesia but did well to win at home, despite the absence of four players, away on India duty.
They will miss Shankar Sampingiraj and Siam Hanghal, both of whom are currently engaged with the India under-23 team.
Match KO: March 21 @ 7 PM IST (Ten Action)
Hashtag: #SFCvBFC
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