Dempo under pressure in hunt for first win

Panaji: Dempo Sports Club are understandably desperate to secure their first win in the Indian Football League (IFL), a result that will help them move up from the bottom of the league ladder.

After four matches, Dempo are ninth on the table, just above bottom-placed Real Kashmir FC. Both teams are without a win, and the five-time former champions will be eager to break the duck when they face Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

“Our approach will be similar to previous games, we will carry a winning mentality,” Dempo coach Samir Naik said during the pre-match media interaction. “Things have not gone our way. Hopefully, we will get something good out of this game, something positive. Maybe the three points will be good to put us back on track.”

A win will take Dempo to sixth on the table.

In the last game, Dempo suffered a defeat against Gokulam Kerala, a result that left them disappointed.

“We didn’t take the defeat in a good way because we could have got something positive out of the game. The boys are trying,” said Naik.

Defender Mohamed Ali emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the team’s shortcomings. “Defending is not just about the backline; it’s a team effort. Small mistakes have cost us, and we are working together to correct them,” he explained.

Currently placed among the frontrunners, Sreenidi Deccan come into this match after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Namdhari FC. Despite controlling nearly 85 percent of possession and creating numerous chances, they were unable to find a breakthrough until the 79th minute, when Hadi Idrissou scored the equaliser following a deflected corner.

Head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto stressed the need for improved efficiency in the final third. “We have analysed our previous match thoroughly. While our ball possession and chance creation have been strong, we need to be more clinical in front of goal,” he said.

Pinto also highlighted the broader objective for his team. “If we want to finish at the top of the league, we must continue to dominate games while improving our finishing and maintaining defensive discipline,” he added.

Midfielder Ajay Chhetri reinforced the positive mood within the camp despite dropped points. “The environment in the team is very good. Everyone is focused and motivated, and we are approaching this match with the aim of securing all three points,” he said.