Samir calls for focus as Dempo eye points against Sreenidi

Panaji: Unbeaten in their last three games, Dempo SC will now want to convert draws into wins as the young guns test their mettle against Sreenidi Deccan FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Tuesday.
The five-time national champions were seconds away from securing a crucial win against Shillong Lajong FC in the last game but conceded late for a 2-2 draw. They also drew 2-2 against Namdhari, also at home.
“This is how football is actually. It’s not only 90 minutes now. Sometimes you score in the very first minute and sometimes last minute. We must be strong mentally and the boys have shown they are,” Dempo coach Samir Naik said during the pre-match media interaction on Monday.
An encouraging start saw them occupy the second spot after five games. Now, Dempo have dropped to ninth on the table with 19 points from 15 outings.
Sreenidi are just a place above Dempo with the same number of points and games but have a superior goal difference.
In the first leg, Dempo edged past Sreenidi 1-0 after an early penalty from Argentine Damian Perez.
“Our target is always to win the championship. Mathematically, we can still win the championship, depending on other results. But there are teams at the lower end who are trying to push forward. The situation is very tricky,” said Samir.
Syrian centre-back Shaher Shaheen and Pruthvesh Pednekar, both recovering from injuries, will be assessed in the morning if they can play any part against Sreenidi.
Five other foreigners are still available, particularly experienced striker Marcus Joseph who has scored in two consecutive games after joining the team.
The Trinidadian who earlier played for Mohammedan SC and Gokulam Kerala, has seamlessly adjusted to life at Dempo with help from his teammates and coaching staff.
“I-League is pretty tough. It will be difficult for any foreigner. Need to fight, work hard and without it nothing is possible. I’m just applying myself in the right way,” said Marcus.
Sreenidi will certainly be wary of the Trinidadian striker as he has troubled them in the past.
In the last three seasons, Sreenidi finished among the top three. For the last two editions, Sreenidi have been runnersup. However, this season has been hard for them.
“The environment is great right now. We are eager to come up and join the top half of the table. We are very positive and look forward to the games ahead,” said Sreenidi assistant coach Ishant Singh.
The kick off is 4.30pm.