I-League: Sporting Clube de Goa aim for crucial points against Aizawl FC

Margao: Sporting Clube de Goa will be desperately looking to collect full points when they lock horns with Aizawl FC in their Hero I-League match here at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.

Sporting Clube de Goa have not won a match in their last five outings and are now fighting to avoid relegation. Even Aizawl FC are in the same boat. 

Sporting coach Maetus Costa said while his team performed well in most of the matches, it lacked in finishing and that resulted in drop in points. "Now that we have four matches remaining, we need to win them. During the break, we have worked on our mistakes and the boys are now ready to move on and win matches. Our first priority is to win tomorrow against Aizawl, who is another team fighting to avoid relegation. 

"Now that we have done our home work, the boys are ready to take on Aizawl and hopefully collect full points," said the coach. Sporting's star striker Odafe Okalie has picked up an injury and is unlikely to play tomorrow. Instead they have recruited Charles, who will most probably start tomorrow in his absence. 

Aizawl coach Johar Das, meanwhile, is optimistic that his team can come out of relegation. "We have beaten Mohun Bagan, the top team in fray for the title and there is no doubt we can beat any team in this tournament. The last time we met Sporting at home, we lost 2-3 even after dominating the match. But with Sporting not doing well in their home ground and with Odafe unlikely to play tomorrow, we have good chance to win," said Das. 

The coach, however, said that his players might find it difficult to play under hot and humid conditions here. "A factor which is going to go against us is the humidity, as we will be playing in the afternoon under the hot sun, which we are not used to. Back home it is cool. But our boys are ready to give their best and overcome it and hopefully win tomorrow that will help us to avoid relegation," said Das.