-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | | Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dempo to clash against Fransa Pax tomorrow Webindia123.com Margao | January 13, 2006 6:54:54 PM IST A keen contest is on the cards when defending champions Dempo Sports Club take on local rivals Fransa Pax in the second round of ONGC National Football League tie to be played at Nehru stadium Fatorda here tomorrow. Both the teams are tied with one point each from drawn matches. Dempo appears to be a well-balanced team but can hardly afford to be complacent, as Fransa are known for their steady approach. They have to pull their socks up and play a more aggressive game to keep their hope of defending the title alive.
Fransa Pax has roped in South African Sidney Nkalanga on loan from East Bengal to assist Brazilian Ivan da Silva or Alex Ambrose to strengthen their forward-line. Dempo coach Arman Colaco said, "There are 10 teams participating in the competition and every team will try to avoid relegation. Though we have three foreigners in the squad like Brazilian Robert Mendis Silva (Beto), Nigerian Renty Martin, both forwards and Majek Bolaji in the defense, but team's mid-field is handicapped due to absence of key players like Climax Lawrence, Riston Rodrigues and Jose Colaco, who are plagued with injuries." "Fransa are really playing a good football, we will try our best to put it across them and snatch points," he added. Confident Fransa coach Nobert Gonsalves said: "Our team is in good spirit after a draw against JCT in the opening tie and hope they will better their performance against Dempo and emerge winners." "Sidney's inclusion in the team has strengthened our forward line along with Ivan Da Silva and Alex Ambrose or Wesly Coutinho. The mid-field will be manned by Shanta Singh, Peter Rodrigues, Surajit Roy or August Montero and defense will be marshaled by Creson Antao, Ryan D'Souza, Aksay Das and Marcus Pexoite and in the goal will be Virendra Singh," he added. Dempo's mid fielders Clifford Miranda and Jules Alberto Dias will have to put in extra effort to assist Brazilian Beto, Renty Martin or upcomming Joaquim Abranchces up front to score goals. Their defense is in the safe hands of captain Stanley Colaco, Melvin Rodrigues and Balaji Majek and efficient goalkeeper Abhjit Mondal, who had put up a brilliant performance against Sporting Clube de Goa in the opener to help his team snatch a point.(UNI) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
