Md Sporting to face Dempo in NFL tomorrow

Margao, Apr 11 (UNI) After a good performance against Mumbai's Air India, defending champions Dempo will take on kolkata is Md sporting in a crucial home match in the second leg of the 10th ONGC Cup National Football League (NFL) championship here tomorrow.

Dempo hold the psychological edge over the visitors after 2-0 win in their first leg clash in Kolkata and have 16 points from 11 matches with four wins, four draws and three losses.

Mohammedan, placed sixth in the table with 14 points from 12 outings, are two points behind Dempo and will be hoping to bounce back from the 0-3 drubbing they suffered on April 8 against Sporting Club de Goa.

Dempo coach Arman Colaco said, his team is fully fit with no injuries and will be the same that played against Air India in the last match.

''Our main aim is to collect full points to improve our position and we will go all out for a win. My only worry is the middle ground, as a pitch was recently made on it for the Indo-England cricket match. It is not yet covered with grass and it may cause injury to the players,'' he feared.

Mohammedan coach Subhash Bhowmick said Dempo was a good side and playing before the home crowd will be an advantage for them.

''But we will give a good fight. My boys have forgetten the defeat at the hands of Sporting Club de Goa and are raring to go. I expect a good match. Even one point against Dempo tomorrow will be enough for us,'' he said.

Dempo, led by mercurial Nigerian Renty Martin, along with Isfaq Ahmed and Joaquim Ambranches, are hoping to come up with an improved showing. All eyes will beon Martin, who has 10 goals to his credit, including a hat-trick.

Cliford Miranda, Nascimento Silveira and Robert Mendes Silva (Beto) form the midfield and defence is in the hands of Majik Bolaji, Stanley Colaco and Melwyn Rodrigues.

Mohammedan would be heavily dependent on their forward - Onkonji Patric, Nithin Pradhan and Raman Vijayan to deliver the goods.

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