I-League Media Team

GOA: Sporting Clube de Goa coach Mathew D’Costa has denied that his team is under any pressure going into the concluding match of the I-League season against Pune FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday

Sporting Clube de Goa are facing relegation with 20 points in their kitty and need to win against the visitors to be absolutely sure that they will not be relegated. The Goan side has been facing relegation right from the start but going into the final game, D’Costa said his team was ready to prove themselves.

“There is no pressure. I did not see any pressure on the players when they were training yesterday. We are used to facing pressure now and will surely deliver,” said D’Costa.

Sporting Clube lost their last league clash against Mohun Bagan after having a fine run which saw them grab victories on the trot against Mohun Bagan at home and Shillong Lajong away. Sporting Clube will now need to replicate the same form that saw them climb out of the relegation zone.

“I am confident in my team. We have done well in the second stage since coming down from behind to hold East Bengal in Kolkata and lost just two games against Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan. This team is really good and our standing on the league table does not reflect the true potential,” explained D’Costa.

Pune FC have two wins in a row after their victories against East Bengal and Shillong Lajong FC in the last two games. The visitors are on 29 points, the same as East Bengal, and can finish third depending on the outcome of East Bengal’s away clash against Shillong Lajong.

“We know what to expect from Sporting Clube, who must win, as Shillong Lajong, our opponents in the last game, were also in a similar situation. We are ready for Sporting,” said coach Gift Raikhan.

Raikhan, who was in-charge of the proceedings for Pune FC in Karim Bencherifa’s absence, said Portuguese midfielder Edgar Marcelino has not made the trip after failing to recover from injury.

Ishfaq Ahmed is almost certain to take Marcelino’s place, while Pune FC have all other players available for selection in the concluding match of the season.

Kick-off: 30-05-2015@4:30 PM
 

Hashtag: #SCGvPFC

Picture Courtesy: Pune FC