Goa’s Sporting look for first win against Bagan

Margao: Sporting Clube de Goa will be looking for their first win when they take on Mohun Bagan in the seventh round of the ONGC I-League on Saturday at Nehru Stadium at Fatorda here.

With six rounds completed, it has been a roller- coaster ride for Bagan. They started disastrously, losing their first two matches before bouncing back, winning their next three ties on a trot. But the loss in their last match against Mumbai Football Club at home dented their morale. Their key player, Jose Remiriz Baretto, is not fully fit hence Bagan will rely on Edeh Chidi, their main stay upfront, to deliver the goods.The midfield has to be more consistent as it is here the real battle will be fought between the two sides. On the other hands, Sporting are struggling to notch up their first win from five matches. They have drawn two and lost three to find themselves at the bottom.The local outfit’s two regular players have still not recovered from injuries and striker Junior Elijah, nursing an hairline fractured on his knee, has joined the casualty list. Sporting will now be pinning their hopes on Nathaniel Amos, who was their saviour against Chirag United scoring a late equaliser, to deliver the goods. Finishing has been the main worry for Sporting’s coach Roy Barreto, who will hope his team will post their first win. Bagan’s coach Karim Bencharifa said the injuries to regular players like Jose Baretto, keeper Sangaram Mukerjee and N S Manju had affected the team’s performance. He expressed the hope that his team will bounce back in the current round of the League. “Sporting, like us, are also having injury problem. But we cannot underestimate them as they are an experienced side who are looking for a win to lift their sagging morale. We have to be more cautious and remain focused till the end as they have the home advantage,” stated Bencharifa. Bureau Report