'Boys are ready to be tested'

MAPUSA: "Minimise your mistakes, give your player more options to release the ball. Optimise your chances," barked Arthur Papas as he put the Dempo Sports Club players through their paces during a training session at the Duler stadium on Saturday morning.
Papas was putting final touches to his plans ahead of Dempo's tricky lung-opener against Shillong Lajong in the 7th Airtel I-League football.Being a stickler for minute details, he kept interrupting the practice session each time he spotted a flaw in their build-ups, cautioned the erring players and made them re-run the script.
Of course, the Australian has emphasised right from the start of the season that he would love to win all his games but crucially, the first three, that could provide the impetus and hopes his young guns buck the trend thereafter.
"They are a settled team now and have some quality foreigners as well. The northeast boys are tough and excel in short passing bouts. We will have to stay alert and nip their build-ups in the bud. As for us, I believe we are a balanced side and have a good blend of youth and experience. This is a very united side. The team is gelling well but I haven't had a single opportunity to play my first eleven to date. Yet, I believe the boys are ready to be tested," said Papas.
Going by the looks of it, Papas has a few surprises in his line-up and is impressed with the performances of some of his young guns who could be thrown into the thick of action if he decides to.
It will be crucial how solid the Dempo back four of Debabrata Roy, S Honda, Simon Collisimo and Samir Naik, stay and how effective Beto and Clifford Miranda emerge. Billy Mehmet will have to be sharper and smarter in his finish to nail three points for Dempo as he, in all probability, will be the lone striker upfront.
Shillong's Thangboi Singto who has grown in stature from assistant to head coach has several talented players in his ranks and a bunch of quality foreign players including Brazilian striker lliams Bomfin Souza Silva.
They will be hoping to change their fortunes this time around as their record against Goan teams in Goa has been dismal.
"Goa is one place that we have not been able to come good. But this time around, the boys are more confident and though we are in a transition stage, we believe we have the talent -- both Indian and foreign -- to match the best in the business," said Thangboi.
Caution will be the watch word on both sides but what could eventually decide the winner will be strategies worked out from the bench and the one team that commits lesser mistakes. Expect a humdinger..