I-League: Prayag United host table-toppers Dempo

Kalyani (West Bengal) - Prayag United will look to close the gap on table-toppers Dempo SC when the two sides take on each other in a 14th round I-League match at the Municipal Stadium here Friday.

Prayag United will have a good shot at a win with the availability of the full squad for the first time after a long break.

“The team had lot of star signings and we launched it with lot of fanfare. But recurrent injuries to key players have derailed the team a bit,” said Siddhartha Bhattacharya, one of the directors of the team.

“We will have defender Bello Rasq returning from suspension while the rest of our foreign recruits including Costa Rican world cupper Carlos Hernandes, Nigerian Ranty Martins and New Zealand striker Kayne Vincent are all available for selection perhaps for the first time after beginning of the season,” Bhattacharya said.

“The team has been struggling for the last few rounds and has lost its way a bit. We hope to get the winning rhythm and see the team back in the scheme of things,” he said as the team went for a late practice session under their new Dutch coach Eelco Schatorie.

This will certainly be a special match for Ranty as he had seven highly-successful seasons at Dempo before be decided he needed a fresh challenge.

Dempo’s successful coach Armando Colaco seemed a bit bothered by the comeback bid of the home side. He said Prayag United is a good side and is trying to make a comeback and this makes “our task difficult,” Colaco said after Dempo’s practice.

“We will be missing three players – Peter Carvalho, Creson Antao and Ryuji Sueoka because of injury.”

“But we hope to find the right substitutions and have a good match,” added Colaco.

“We have released Rohan Rickets and have roped in Johnny (Menyongar) from Shillong Lajong FC. We will have Koko Sakibo and Johnny as the two foreigners for selection in the side tomorrow,” said Colaco.