MARGAO: An intriguing tussle is in the offing as I-League champions Dempo Sports Club clash with AIFF XI in a crucial tie of Group C in the Federation Cup at the Guru Nanak stadium in Ludhiana on Thursday at 2pm.

Having demolished ONGC 5-2 in the opening fixture, Dempo could well inch closer to the semis with a win. However, the match could be a tricky affair with the AIFF XI themselves producing a stunning solitary goal victory over JCT Mills in their own den.
Dempo still are the favourites for the points but team manager Custodio Almeida has cautioned against any complacency.
 “It’s a huge match for us. Very crucial and we can’t even think of taking it lightly. We’ve to win at any cost. It could even put us through and therefore we have to get the points to make us comfortable,” explained Custodio while speaking telephonically with ‘The Navhind Times’ on Wednesday.
With only one team going through to the quarter-final group stages, Dempo as well as AIFF XI have equal points after winning the first round matches quite confidently and according to Custodio the Goan giants did not have any injury worries and are expected to put up an unchanged side with Nigerian striker Ranty Martins in sparkling form so early in the season.
“It’s vital that we net goals and can be decisive in the end. We have converted most of the chances although we missed out on a few. Our opponents are young and looked a competent side that’s ready to chase anything but we’re aiming to go through and the boys are eager to do it,” Custodio disclosed.
With a winning start under his belt, Dempo coach Armando Colaco could well retain an unchanged side with Laximikant Kattimani in the goal and Valeriano Rebello, John Dias, Dominick Noronha, Debabrata Roy in the defence.
Brazilian playmaker Beto and new signing Ogba Kalu are certain to play in the midfield with Peter Carvalho and Nicolau Borges on the either wings. Hat-trick hero Ranty Martins and Joaquim Abranches will form the strike force for the crack Goan outfit.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a fine hat-trick by Ranty Martins helped Dempo Sports Club thrash ONGC 5-2 in a Group C Federation Cup match.
Trailing by a goal at the breather, Dempo bounced back in style, finding the back of the net four times in the second half.
ONGC took the lead in the 17th minute through Babatunde but Dempo neutralised through Beto in the 33rd minute only to see Babatunde make it 2-1 in favour of ONGC.
But, after the change of ends, Martins struck thrice in a span of 22 minutes - 56th, 76th and 78th - to seal the match in Dempo’s favour. Joaquim Abranches added to the tally with another goal in the 89th minute.  In the second match, local favourite JCT went down 0-1 to AIFF XI. After a goalless first-half, Malswmfela struck the winner for the AIFF XI midway into
the second half.