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I-League Preview: Salgaocar SC – Sporting Clube De Goa
Fight for relegation between two Goan sides.
02-Apr-2010 10:45:00 PM
By Rahul Sengupta
Time: 16:00 IST, 3rd April 2010.
Venue: J L Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa.
Continuing To Win Matches
An erstwhile unsettled Salgaocar SC seem to have bounced back in the I-League after a change of guard. Since Karim Bencherifa took over the former champions, they've been successful against Dempo and East Bengal in two high profile matches, and have looked a much more composed outfit in general.
Karim’s young brigade will now be up against a team lying at the very bottom of the league, Sporting Clube de Goa. For Karim Bencherifa, strikers Ekene Ikenwa and Mandjou Keita have successfully proved their worth by scoring some good goals of late.
However, the major strength of the team lies in defence, as Luciano Sabrosa has led the team excellently along with an experienced goalkeeper in the form of Kalyan Chaubey. Sporting seem doomed to be relegated now, and don't have much to play for but pride, but will come hard in a Goa derby, so Bencherifa and his men must be on their toes.
Winning For Pride
At one point of time it looked like Sporting could save themselves from relegation, but despite their good victory over Mohun Bagan in Kolkata, the team under Vishwas Gaonkar has failed to maintain their form, and went down easily at home to other opponents.
In a desperate bid to win matches at home the coach also tried Michael Tayo as a striker in the absence of Junior, but the move backfired as Viva took full advantage of their weakened midfield. With neither of the foreigners being able to do some serious damage to other teams, it is now almost certain that Sporting will be facing relegation, something unthinkable at the start of the season.
The only bright spot in the team perhaps is their tragic hero, goalkeeper Felix D'Souza, but the team’s poor defensive performances have constantly let the custodian down.
Form Guide
Salgaocar
Salgaocar 4-1 East Bengal
Salgaocar 1-2 Chirag United
Salgaocar 3-2 Dempo SC
SC Goa
SC Goa 1-2 Viva Kerala
Mohun Bagan 1-2 SC Goa
Shillong Lajong 0-0 SC Goa
Team News
Salgaocar
No major injury worries for the side under Karim Bencherifa. New recruit Chandan Chitrasen Singh is now back from his injury, although he's not fit enough to feature in this game.
SC Goa
Defender Samananda Singh is still sidelined due to his injury, although Adil Khan has fit in superbly in his place. Nathaniel Amos will also give the tie a miss due to suspension.
Key Players
Salgaocar – Ekene Ikenwa
The Nigerian demolished East Bengal almost single handedly, and we can expect him to cast his spell yet again, as the team relies heavily on him to create opportunities.
SC Goa – Adil Khan
The youngster has done really well in place of their regular fullback Samananda Singh. He is never shy to make dangerous overlaps going forward, and who can forget his stunning strike against Mohun Bagan in Kolkata. Karim Bencherifa must watch out for this talent on Saturday.
Key Areas
Salgaocar SC has finally been able to re-organize their defence, with Luciano and Iranian stopper Saminia being impressive of late. It will tough for the SC Goa attack to go past Salgaocar’s back four, and it will be the battle that decides the game. In all probability, Salgaocar should be able to outscore Sporting, and nick the game.
Venue: J L Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa.
Continuing To Win Matches
An erstwhile unsettled Salgaocar SC seem to have bounced back in the I-League after a change of guard. Since Karim Bencherifa took over the former champions, they've been successful against Dempo and East Bengal in two high profile matches, and have looked a much more composed outfit in general.
Karim’s young brigade will now be up against a team lying at the very bottom of the league, Sporting Clube de Goa. For Karim Bencherifa, strikers Ekene Ikenwa and Mandjou Keita have successfully proved their worth by scoring some good goals of late.
However, the major strength of the team lies in defence, as Luciano Sabrosa has led the team excellently along with an experienced goalkeeper in the form of Kalyan Chaubey. Sporting seem doomed to be relegated now, and don't have much to play for but pride, but will come hard in a Goa derby, so Bencherifa and his men must be on their toes.
Winning For Pride
At one point of time it looked like Sporting could save themselves from relegation, but despite their good victory over Mohun Bagan in Kolkata, the team under Vishwas Gaonkar has failed to maintain their form, and went down easily at home to other opponents.
In a desperate bid to win matches at home the coach also tried Michael Tayo as a striker in the absence of Junior, but the move backfired as Viva took full advantage of their weakened midfield. With neither of the foreigners being able to do some serious damage to other teams, it is now almost certain that Sporting will be facing relegation, something unthinkable at the start of the season.
The only bright spot in the team perhaps is their tragic hero, goalkeeper Felix D'Souza, but the team’s poor defensive performances have constantly let the custodian down.
Form Guide
Salgaocar
Salgaocar 4-1 East Bengal
Salgaocar 1-2 Chirag United
Salgaocar 3-2 Dempo SC
SC Goa
SC Goa 1-2 Viva Kerala
Mohun Bagan 1-2 SC Goa
Shillong Lajong 0-0 SC Goa
Team News
Salgaocar
No major injury worries for the side under Karim Bencherifa. New recruit Chandan Chitrasen Singh is now back from his injury, although he's not fit enough to feature in this game.
SC Goa
Defender Samananda Singh is still sidelined due to his injury, although Adil Khan has fit in superbly in his place. Nathaniel Amos will also give the tie a miss due to suspension.
Key Players
Salgaocar – Ekene Ikenwa
The Nigerian demolished East Bengal almost single handedly, and we can expect him to cast his spell yet again, as the team relies heavily on him to create opportunities.
SC Goa – Adil Khan
The youngster has done really well in place of their regular fullback Samananda Singh. He is never shy to make dangerous overlaps going forward, and who can forget his stunning strike against Mohun Bagan in Kolkata. Karim Bencherifa must watch out for this talent on Saturday.
Key Areas
Salgaocar SC has finally been able to re-organize their defence, with Luciano and Iranian stopper Saminia being impressive of late. It will tough for the SC Goa attack to go past Salgaocar’s back four, and it will be the battle that decides the game. In all probability, Salgaocar should be able to outscore Sporting, and nick the game.
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