Margao: Dempo Sports Club will hope to start on the front foot as they kickstart their Indian Football League (IFL) campaign against Real Kashmir FC at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday at 4pm.
After months of uncertainty surrounding Indian football, the IFL commenced on Friday with ten teams jostling for a lone qualification spot in in next season’s Indian Super League.
Five-time national champions Dempo have made a return to the I-League, now rebranded as IFL, and finished sixth last season.
Coach Samir Naik is targeting promotion this season, and a positive result against Kashmir will give them a strong foundation, before four away games.
“I feel all teams are very good and stand a chance to win the championship, including us,” Samir said during the pre-match interaction on Saturday. “All teams are strong and we approach each challenge game by game. Coaches are never satisfied. I feel we have prepared well for the match.”
Dempo start the season with five foreigners, a welcome change from last season’s struggles. Although a few of them have arrived late, they all pack a punch.
Trinidad and Tobago striker Marcus Joseph was the last signing last season but still finished as the club’s top scorer with 10 goals in nine appearances.
Dempo have signed the Churchill centre-back pairing of Aubin Kouakou (Ivory Coast) and Jose Moreno (Colombia), along with attacking midfielder Sebastian Gutierrez (Colombia).
It will be interesting to monitor the performance of Ghanaian striker Richmond Owusu, who won the Golden Boot in the inaugural Bengal Super League (BSL) for Sundarban Bengal Auto FC with 11 goals and three assists in 15 appearances.
However, Argentinian Damian Perez has not yet arrived in India due to visa issues.
“All the players are available for selection but we must check their fitness. It is very challenging. Our management tried very hard to get foreigners as early as possible. I feel our Indian players are equally good,” said Samir.
Real Kashmir have ambitions of their own after finishing third last season.
“Dempo are historically a very strong side, especially at home in Fatorda,” said Real Kashmir coach Ishfaq Ahmed, who won the I-League with Dempo as player. “They have their philosophy; they dominate on the ground and play good football. The first 20 minutes in a season opener are about controlling your nerves and performing to your best ability.”
