Dempo leaves for Iraq sans Beto

Panaji: Dempo FC will leave for Iraq to play their knockout round match of the AFC Cup, scheduled for May 24 against Iraq`s Duhok Club without their three key players.

The players are in positive frame of mind after the win against Mumbai FC in the I-League and are hoping that they will do well against Duhok. "There is hardly any rest for the players but we have to take things in our stride and march ahead. Three of our players cannot make it to Iraq due to technical reasons which has hampered our cause.”"Mahesh Gawli has got two yellow cards, Debrata Roy`s visa is not ready while Roberto Silva too has card problem," Dempo`s coach Armando Colaco said. About his team`s chance of retaining the I-League, Colaco said that his chances are bright after their win against Mumbai FC and East Bengal defeat against Salgaocar.There are still three games to go and two of them we play at home, which means we have a good chance to retain the title, stated Colaco. PTI