MARGAO: I-League champions Dempo Sports Club clash with high-flying Mohun Bagan (Kolkata) in what could be a smashing encounter of the Federation Cup semi-finals at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, on Thursday at 6pm.
Both the teams produced tremendous victories in the quarter-finals group stages to set up a mouth-watering encounter and it could be a battle of wits for the rival coaches to get the desired result.
Dempo may not have to get bothered much about their players as they all are in supreme condition, fit and rearing to go. However, the sudden change in climate could be a worry for the Goan giants as coach Armando Colaco disclosed that the hot and humid weather of Cuttack might just may the team a bit wary.
"It’s really very hot and humid in Cuttack. We’ve come over from the cold of Punjab and we haven’t had much time to adjust to the surroundings. The boys are in the mood despite the weather changes and we’ve prepared ourselves well for the match against Bagan," Armando informed The Navhind Times on the eve of the crucial encounter.
"It could’ve been even better if we could get a little more time here and the boys would have had that extra time to acclimatize themselves," Armando revealed.
Dempo’s opponents Mohun Bagan had simply demolished Salgaocar by a tennis score with Brazilian Jose Ramirez Baretto and Subair Muritala Ali netting a hat-trick each, and it could be a tricky test for Dempo stoppers John Dias and Dominick Noronha with the last named coming after a year-long absence from an injury.
However, Armando said he had absolutely no worries about his back four.
"Our defence has played extremely well in the last match. We have kept up a clean slate and we should not be anxious or feel uneasy about the strike force of our rivals. Our defenders will do the work. It’s not that we should keep our mind on just two players who had scored the goals. Our boys had been at this level for many years and they know how to go about and do the job in such situation," Armando shot back on being pointed out about the sharpness of the rival’s attack line.
Dempo may be missing several of their star names because of their commitments with the Indian team but with Brazilian playmaker Beto, midfield lynchpin Ogba Kalu Nanna, Joaquim Abranches, Peter Carvalho and the goal -hungry Ranty Martins, who is in superlative form, it could be a severe ordeal for Mohun Bagan’s new coach Stanley Rozario who admitted about the prominence of his opponents.
"Dempo has always been a marvellous and wonderful outfit. Everybody knows how forcefully they’ve won the I-league last year. They’ve a magnificent coach whom I respect very much. They may be missing players but Armando always keeps a side with depth and it’s the most balanced team but we’ve also done exceptionally well for ourselves. By thrashing Salgoacar we’ve got the confidence and the assurance which is very necessary going into a big match like this. So we’re ready for Dempo," Rozario explained.
If Mohun Bagan goes through then it will be consecutive appearance in the finals of the Fed Cup for Rozario who took the minnows Shillong Lajong FC in the summit clash of the premiere competition with eventual winners East Bengal last year and the former Army XI coach is looking for the occasion.
"When I gaze back, it always gives me the motivation and the drive to do better. Lajong was then an unknown commodity, without any foreigners and any big names. The run is an inspiration for me as it gives me a lot of self encouragement. Now I am with Mohun Bagan and we all want to go through. The players knew how vital this could be and we’ll give everything to win and book a place in the finals," Rozario expressed.
The Green and Maroon are well served by the foreigners Jose Ramirez Baretto, Muritala Ali, Edeh Chiddi and Diamond Star whose power play had propelled the Kolkata giants forward. However, on Thursday the imports on the either side of the field can perform a significant role for their teams.
