Mohammedan Sporting looking to avoid I-League relegation

Margao, March 21 (IANS) Mohammedan Sporting will be looking to avoid relegation when they face Dempo in the 20th round of I-League football at the Fatorda Stadium here Saturday.

Mohammedan Sporting are 12th above defending champions Churchill Brothers who have a match in hand and are two points behind.

But Mohammedan Sporting coach Sanjoy Sen does not feel threatened with the sword of relegation hanging above them.

“I don’t see this as a relegation battle. Apart from us, there are five other teams who face relegation. The players know what they have to do,” said Sen.

Mohammedan Sporting (17 points) are among the relegation contenders apart Churchill Brothers (15 points) and Mumbai FC (20). Mohun Bagan (21) and Rangdajied United FC (21) are also not entirely safe and Sen is aware of that.

Against Dempo, Sen knows what he wants, at least a point from the match.

“It will be good to have those three points but if not, a point is an absolute must. Leaving Goa without a point will be disastrous,” said Sen.

Dempo were on a roll since the arrival of foreign players like Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey, who was sacked unceremoniously by Mohammedan Sporting, and Afghanistan defender Haroon Amiri.

Tolgay, Dempo’s most potent weapon up front, started the last game against Salgaocar on the bench (against Salgaocar) due to an injury. He is still not fully fit and having trained intermittently in the last two weeks, there is a doubt whether he will start the game against his former club.

Dempo, though, will be more concerned about their performance in the last game against Salgaocar. They had plenty of possession but that counted for nothing in the end as they could not break down a resolute defence. Dempo are placed sixth at the moment with 25 points from 19 matches.