I-League: Full-strength Dempo ready for Lajong

Panaji: Dempo SC head coach Samir Naik has a selection headache with all six foreigners available for selection for the first time this season in the I-League.
The five-time national champions look refreshed and believe they can start their climb with a win against Shillong Lajong FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday, 4.30pm.
Dempo got off to a good start on their return to the I-League and were second in the standings after the first five rounds. But injuries and unavailability of key players threw up inconsistent results. After 14 games, Dempo are eighth with 18 points, 10 points away from league leaders Churchill Brothers FC.
Samir feels Dempo are few wins away from being in contention again.
“According to me, Shillong Lajong is one of the strongest teams in the I-League. Six teams are in contention. If we win the game, we are also in the same bracket,” Samir told TOI during the media interaction on Tuesday.
Dempo showed plenty of grit in their 2-2 draw against Namdhari, who lost 0-1 to Real Kashmir and have now dropped to third place.
Although Dempo started with three foreigners in their previous game, Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Brossou was introduced in the second half.
Dempo are now optimistic of starting with four foreigners for the first time this season against Lajong.
“The boys have adapted to this ground now. They are more familiar, and confidence is much better. There is a lot of positivity and I can feel it,” said Samir.
Striker Marcus Joseph put his experience to good use on his Dempo debut with a cool and composed finish that secured Dempo a crucial point late in the game. The Trinidadian’s experience in India has helped him adapt seamlessly.
“Marcus was not supposed to start. Damian (Perez) was admitted to hospital due to food poisoning and I didn’t have any option. He (Marcus) clicked immediately, and it looked like he was with the team for the last six months,” said Samir.
Earlier in the first leg, Dempo returned with a 2-0 win from Shillong, but the visitors have transformed ever since. Lajong are now fifth with 22 points and are aiming for a third consecutive win.
They edged past Namdhari 3-2 and trounced Sreenidi Deccan 4-0 in their previous game.
“After these two great, tough matches, the mentality of players has grown a lot. Our game style is getting better every day, but we need the final outcome,” said Lajong coach Jose Carlos Rodriguez Hevia.
Lajong are one of the highest scoring sides in the league with 34 goals. However, the visitors will miss Douglas Tardin for a second straight game. The league's top scorers suffered an ankle injury against Namdhari, but Hevia knows he has enough depth in his squad to fill in the void.
“We need to carry on with the same form. Playing Dempo here will be a very tough match. The climate here is completely different compared to Shillong and we need to adapt,” said Hevia.