Winless in five games, Dempo look for home comfort

Panaji: Dempo Sports Club are in unfamiliar territory, winless in five matches and now at the bottom of the Indian Football League (IFL) table.
Head coach Samir Naik believes one victory can change their fortunes, and it could come when they host Namdhari FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Thursday.
Dempo started their campaign with an exciting 2-2 draw at home against Real Kashmir FC. But the five-time national champions could only pick a point in their next four away fixtures.
It is a do-or-die situation for Dempo where they must collect maximum points from a potential 12 in their last four home fixtures.
“We have been working hard. There were minor errors that cost us the games, but the efforts the boys put in were 100%,” Samir told TOI during the pre-match media interaction on Wednesday.
Dempo are tenth with two points in the standings. They must finish in the top-half of the league to stand any chance of fighting for the title.
“We need just one victory to change things. A win will put us in a better position,” said Samir.
The uncertainty surrounding Indian football and late start to the league has hampered Dempo’s preparations. They signed six foreigners, but most of them arrived late. The away fixtures didn’t help either to work along as a team.
But Samir has now got a week to work with his side after they lost 1-3 against Sreenidi Deccan.
“We will surely be a different Dempo now,” said Samir.
Namdhari are seventh with six points. A win can take the visitors to the fourth spot. They come into the fixture after a hard-fought victory in Kashmir.
Dempo left-back Saiesh Bagkar believes his side can turn things around.
“The mood in the dressing room is still positive. The last few results were disappointing, but it is part of football. The team has regrouped well, discussed what went wrong and we have learned from it. Everyone is motivated and we will bounce back stronger,” said Saiesh.