Must-win situation for Dempo, Salgaocar

Bottom-placed, Dempo FC and Salgaocar FC will face off in a must-win game on Wednesday to keep themselves away from relegation in the Hero I-League match, played at Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

Salgaocar put up a good performance in the first <g data-gr-id="21">phase</g> but two successive losses have put them at the bottom of the table with 17 points from 17 matches. Dempo, who dropped points after they drew against Mumbai FC, too have 17 points from 17 matches and are facing relegation.

They still have three matches remaining and Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira is optimistic his team will do well on Wednesday. “It is a situation we cannot afford to lose, all we can do is to collect three points if not one point will do. The team has been performing <g data-gr-id="31">well</g> but <g data-gr-id="30">lack</g> of finishing has cost us dearly,” Pereira said. “In the last match we <g data-gr-id="27">commited</g> silly mistakes which saw us concede a goal and that put us down. Now we have to look forward to <g data-gr-id="28">do</g> well in on Wednesday’s match.

<g data-gr-id="39">“It’s do</g> or die situation for us and for four others. We have problems at the <g data-gr-id="38">back</g> but that problem would be solved if somebody <g data-gr-id="24">upfront</g> who could get us goals. All the three <g data-gr-id="25">goans</g> team are fighting to avoid relegation and we have to do our best to save relegation. “There is <g data-gr-id="35">question</g> mark on Darryl Duffy playing on Wednesday as he has strained his leg after scoring against Bengaluru FC in the last match and is <g data-gr-id="36">doubtful</g> starter. We have a practice session this evening and we will take a decision on Wednesday,” said Pereira. Dempo’s coach <g data-gr-id="26">Tevor</g> Morgon too voiced similar concerns. “We are in a position where we cannot afford to lose especially three matches to go, we love to get three points as we are in better position to save relegation,” Morgon said.