Salgaocar keen to consolidate position with win over HAL

Margao: Having beaten HAL in the first leg and playing at home, Salgaocar holds physiological advantage over their rivals when they clash with each other on Friday at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda here in the return match of the I-League. Salgaocar`s impressive performance in the second leg when they beat ONGC, Chirag and Viva Kerala with a thumping victory has helped them to take a five point lead over East Bengal, are keen to consolidate their position at the top after having garnered 37 points from 16 matches. With league matches against tougher teams, Churchill Brothers, Dempo, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan later, they are keen to extend their lead by winning their next four matches before they play against Churchill Brothers and Dempo which will be crucial for winning the League title. Salgaocar, success has been their teamwork where their midfield has excelled and played in unision throughout along with their strikers Yusif Yakubu and Ryuji Sueoka who has been the second highest scorer with 14 goals, behind Churchill Brothers Odafe Okolie who is leading the score chart with 16 goals. Jaspal Parmar who is nursing an injury will not play tomorrow for Salgaocar, while the rest of the team remains the same. Salgaocar`s coach Karim Bencherifa has expressed happiness with the way his boys are playing. Now that they have succeded in reaching at the top of the table. They now need to believe in themselves and remain focus and keep on winning to keep the momentum going as the contest will get more tougher towards the end where we have to face tougher teams, stated Bencherifa. HAL is a good side and is playing well in the second phase. The boys have to play the same way as they have been playing and secure an early goal to put the rivals under pressure, stated Bencherifa. HAL have collected five points from their last three matches to stay 7 points away from relegation. They come here with a win against Mumbai FC which has boosted their confidence and will be looking for a win tomorrow to consolidate their position. PTI