Internet Desk: Mohammedan Sporting Club faces a daunting task on Wednesday when they take on Dempo SC in an final round encounter of the 2nd Division league
The game at Fatorda Stadium promises to be a intense battle involving high stakes. If Mohammedan SC fails to win the match then they will be out of the race for promotion to the Hero I-League while a win for Dempo almost guarantees them a place in the top-flight.
Both teams head into game coming off solid wins. While Mohammedan SC beat Lonestar Kashmir FC 1-0 on Sunday Dempo beat Gangtok Himalayan SC 3-0 a week ago. However, the match against Dempo will be Mohammedan SC’s third in last 7 days whereas Dempo playing their first in the same duration.
Mohammedan SC who are unbeaten in their last five and will be keen to maintain momentum. However, the task at hand will be not be easy for the Black Panthers as they head into the most important fixture of their entire campaign without James Moga who is unavailable for remaining matches due to a 4-match suspension.
Ajay Singh, who scored the winner against Lonestar Kashmr, will be the man on whom the team will rely for goals in Moga’s absence.
The last time when these two teams faced off in Kolkata the match ended in a scoreless stalemate despite Mohammedan SC dominating much of the proceedings.
Dempo, on the other hand, are on a 4-match winning streak will depend on Felix Chidi Odili to break though the Mohammedan defence. The Nigerian will be joined by the India international Holicharan Narzary while the likes of Romeo Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai and Jewel Raja and Germanpreet Singh will supply them from midfield.
The defense will be led by Chika Wali alongside Mohammed Ali with Debabrata Roy and Shallum Pires starting as wing-backs. Dempo sikpper Laxmikant Kattimani will stand guard under the bar who kept clean-sheet in last five matches.
On the team news front, Mohammedan SC have travelled to Goa with the same 18-member squad from the previous match.
The match at Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda kicks-off at 4.00 pm on Wednesday.