Federation Cup: Goan rivalry set to be renewed

Siliguri – The second semifinal of the 34th Federation Cup is expected to offer a feast of creative football as the two most accomplished sides of the country – Salgaocar SC and Dempo SC – lock horns at the Kanchanjungha Stadium here Friday.

Salgaocar, who claimed the title last year beating East Bengal at the latter’s home, will be a step closer to the title defence with their successful Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa.

The holder of I-league championship record – Dempo – will be driven by the desire to better their Fed Cup profile having won the title only once in 2004.

Dempo has institutionalised success under its long serving coach Armando Colaco, who promised an absorbing clash in the first engagement between the two sides in the national calendar. The two teams have played a draw each time meeting twice in the pre-season preparations back home at Goa.

But Salgaocar enjoys a better record in the Fed Cup semifinals having beaten Dempo in both the previous meetings in 1994 (Margao) and in 1997 (Guwahati).

“We are no rivals. The best thing about football in Goa is that we share mutual respect. Whether we win or lose, we go home happy,” Colaco said.

“There are no clear favourite as both teams have good players who can steer the match any way.”

Dempo will have to play with only one foreigner – Nigerian forward Koko Sakibo – as their other attacker, Japanese Ryuiji Seuoka, is injured.

“My side is young and will try to play good football. There no pressure as such,” Karim Bencherifa said about his Salgaocar side.

“For us qualifying to the semifinals has been a great achievement and we hope to carry the form ahead.”

When Karim was aksed to assess their opponents, the coach said, “They (Dempo) do not need any foreigner as players like Climax (Lawrence) and Sameer (Naik) are as good as any foreign player.”

Karim, however, has a full house of foreigners, which include Sean Rooney of Australia, Angel Guirado of Philippines and Brazilian Luciano Sabrosa.