Sporting Clube de Goa will go all out for a win against Pune FC in the last round match of the Hero I-League football tournament here on Saturday.
The league has been highly competitive this season with the champion and relegated team being determined only at the end of the final round.
Mohun Bagan (38 points) and Bengaluru FC (36) are fighting for the title while Mumbai FC (21), Salgaocar FC (21), Shillong Lajong (20), Sporting Clube de Goa (20) and Dempo (19) are teams that are fighting to avoid relegation.
Sporting Clube de Goa, which struggled in the first leg, won its first match in the 14th round against Salgaocar FC.
After that there was no turning back as it collected ten points from its next four matches, until it lost to Mohun Bagan in its last match.
A win on Saturday will see it escape relegation. If it loses than either Lajong or Dempo must lose their matches to survive the drop.
Meanwhile, in Vasco, it’s a do or die situation for both Salgaocar FC and Dempo FC as they face each other at the Tilak Stadium here on Saturday.
Salgaocar, which started the season with a bang winning the Durand Cup and Goa’s Pro League, was expected to be the favourite to win the title but unfortunately injuries to key players — especially Darryl Duffy and Dawson Fernandes — hurt the side badly as it failed to win matches despite dominating and now needs at least a draw to avoid relegation.
The 5-1 demolition of Bharat FC in its last outing at home would have definitely given a boost to its morale ahead of Saturday’s clash.“The mood in the camp is upbeat and the boys are raring to go. It is a massive game for us but the fact of the matter is that things are still in our hands.
“We will look to play our natural game and more importantly stick to the basics,” said Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira.
On the other hand, Dempo, which is more comfortable playing at Nehru Stadium, has no choice but to win to avoid relegation.
