I-League: Injury-hit Salgaocar to face Bengaluru FC

Margao: Injury-hit Salgaocar face a tough task when they face defending champions Bengaluru FC in an I-League match at Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.

Salgaocar were expecting their injured players like Darryl Duffy and Saran Singh would be fit during the 17 days of break but their problem has compounded with Pawan Kumar, Brian Mascarenhas and Rosario Mendes, who are on duty for Under-23 team, are all injured.

With Darryl Duffy still not fully fit and defender Augustin who picked up a red card in the last match against Shillong Lajong FC before the I-League first leg break, Salgaocar will have a tough time against the rival attack comprising Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh and Sean Rooney.

Despite missing several players, Salgaocar coach Derick Pereira was quite positive that his team will put up a good show tomorrow.

"The league is wide open and we are looking to win both our next matches which will place us close to the top three teams. The youngsters are responding well and are all geared up to face Bengaluru FC tomorrow," stated Pereira.

Salgaocar have done fairly well so far picking 11 points from eight matches to place themselves to seventh spot.

Bengaluru FC are placed third with 14 points from nine matches and play their last match of the first leg tomorrow.

The visitors have been busy during the break as they were involved in AFC Cup. They lost their away clash in Indonesia but did well to win at home against Warriors FC of Singapore despite the absence of four players on India duty with Joshua Walkar scoring the lone goal.

Their keeper Lalthuammawia Rlate was outstanding under the bar making several saves and he may be looking for the same performance tomorrow.

Shankar Sampingiraj, who also put up a good performance against the Warrior FC, will miss tomorrow's match along with Siam Hanghal. Both are currently engaged with the India Under-23 team.