Dempo to take on HAL tomorrow

Margao: Dempo will look to muster full points against bottom placed HAL, when the two teams lock horns in the 21st round of the I-League, to be played at Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday. Dempo, who top the league standings with 43 points from 20 matches, want to maintain their focus for the next six matches, as they eye their fifth national league title.

Mohun Bagan with 37 points stands second in the league table. The Goan giants, who won two titles during more than a month`s break in league proceedings, will like to carry on their winning momentum in the remaining matches of the tournament. The team won Goa`s Super League and Super Cup in the break and are upbeat about tomorrow`s contest. "My boys are in right mood and high in spirits to take on HAL. We need to win and get the right start to carry forward our mission and not get jitters like last year when we lost the title narrowly to Salgaocar," said Coach Armando Colaco, who makes a comeback at the helm after being forced out of action due to health reasons. Apart from Clifford Miranda, who has been ruled out for tomorrow`s game, Dempo will have full squad at it disposal. "Clifford Miranda is ruled out tomorrow otherwise we have full squad at our disposal including new recruit Japanese midfielder Kato," said Colaco. HAL, meanwhile, are lying at the bottom of the heap with just seven points from 20 matches so far and are certain to get relegated unless they win all their remaining matches. "It’s a tough ask but we will keep on fighting and collect as many points from our remaining matches," said HAL coach, Ramalingam Thyagraj. PTI