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It’s advantage Dempo as they take on Viva Kerala on their home turf.
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After JCT, Dempo are the only other club which remains to be unbeaten in the league. In their last three games, they have taken five points from a maximum nine. The dropped points were against top sides away at JCT and at home to Mahindra United.
The team would look to make the most of the presented opportunity by JCT to finish the first leg games as the league leaders.
The early good run of form for Viva seems to have fizzled out. They haven’t found the back of the net in the last three games and have lost two of them. They were drubbed by Churchill Brothers the last time they came to Goa and were disappointing against JCT where they defeat margin could have been more.
Team News
Dempo are still missing Clifford Miranda and Jerry Jirsanga due to long term injuries. Left winger Nicolau Borges would miss today’s game due to double booking.
Viva Kerala are without their skipper Khelemba Singh due to two yellow cards. Midfielder James Singh is yet to recover from the injury sustained against Mahindra United in Mumbai.
What They Say
Dempo coach Armando Colaco has advised his boys to just go out on the field and enjoy themselves and not think about being the league leaders.
“I have asked to go and enjoy playing football. There is no question of us being in an advantageous position as in I-League any team can play on their day.
“Let’s begin the New Year in style,” signed off the cheerful coach who has every reason to be so.
Star midfielder Beto says that he wants his team to regain the top spot after JCT dropped points last evening.
“We should go and get the three points which would put us in a good position at the end of the first leg games.”
Viva Kerala coach A.M.Sreedharan says that his side has lost in recent games to top sides like Churchill Brothers and JCT but hope to put good show against the champions.
“It’s not that we are under pressure as we lost to top sides. Against other oppositions, we did manage to win or draw which is good for a side like ours which has just forayed into the top division fort the very first time.
“But it will be tough facing the defending champions and that too on their home ground,” admitted the experienced coach.
Key Players
Ranti Martins: The Nigerian would hope that with the New Year, he would start scoring more often for Dempo and get back to the thunderous form of last season which saw him netting 18 times. He did get back to his best against Air India scoring twice however; injury worries have been concerning him off late.
Baba Thunde: He hasn’t impressed off late and would be keen to make amends and what better match to comeback than against the top side Dempo. This could just be Baba’s day if he manages to take the opportunities that come his way.




source:goal.com