MARGAO: Title favourites Dempo Sports Club might be playing miles away in Kolkata on Wednesday against Mohun Bagan but the progress of the ‘blues’ will be watched closely not only by their army of fans but also by other title challengers Mahindra United and Churchill  Bros.

With four rounds remaining, Dempo are merrily perched on top with 44 points, second placed Mahindra are on 37 points while Mohun Bagan and Churchill Bros have amassed 32 points, but the defending champions from Goa have played two matches less.
The equation for Dempo appears simple. The Goan giants have to win a possible two matches to kill the hopes of the remaining contenders, but coach Armando Colaco is less bothered about the mathematics and is concentrating on the crucial match against Bagan. “As long as we are in front we don’t have to get a calculator and sit about doing sums. My boys know we are very close to our dream and that’s important for us. We have to play two matches away and another two at home and we have to get as much points as possible. A victory here will definitely be massive and it’ll put us where we want to be and ease up things, so we’ll have to give our best and get it done at the first chance,” Armando explained in a telephonic conversation with ‘The Navhind Times’ from Kolkata.
Before leaving for Kolkata, Armando has done his preparation accordingly gathering his team for practice sessions at Chowgule Training Centre, Margao to acclimatise to the playing surface. However, the biggest enemy could be the torrid weather. And, despite the adversities of the environment, Armando is convinced that his team’s past record against the Bengal arch-rivals would present Dempo with an
advantage.
“No matter where we play, we have always done a good job against Mohun Bagan. We have come across more them once and my team has got fascinating results. It’ll be a tight match.They had also shown fine form of late but my boys know that winning is very vital and we have to keep the momentum going and I hope we don’t let the fans down,” Armando expressed. Dempo will have to do it without suspended international winger Clifford Miranda but welcomes back another India player Samir Naik to  bolster
the defence.