By Salgaocar FC Media
GOA: Salgaocar FC take on Sporting Clube de Goa in what is a crucial match for both sides at the Duler Football Stadium in Mapusa tomorrow, in a Round 14 clash of the Goa Professional League. The Greens go into the fixture having finished all square with Vasco in the last outing to sit in 4th position on the points table with 19 points from 12 games whilst Sporting currently top the standings with 26 points from 13 games but go into the game having suffered a defeat at the hands of Calangute Association in their last outing. A win for Salgaocar on the morrow will certainly set the cat amongst the pigeons and throw the league table wide open with 5 rounds to play. Coincidentally, it was the Greens who emerged victorious at the curtain raiser to the season, the GFA Champions Trophy with the first leg of the Goa Professional League ending all square.
Despite suffering just one defeat in 12 games, the least amongst any of the sides along with Churchill Brothers SC, the Greens find themselves off the pace due to the 7 drawn encounters. In the last outing against Vasco, despite scoring first and seemingly in cruise control mode, they did allow their port town rivals to slowly claw their way back into the game. The Greens will miss the services of medio and workhorse Martin Scott who misses the game through suspension, but will bank on Australia Calvin Mbarga to provide the thrust upfront and find the back of the net. Calvin has netted 4 times already in only 6 games and coach Malcolm Thomson will be hopeful his triumph card delivers the goods when most needed.
Salgaocar are likely to continue with the U-20 duo of Myron Borges and Jason Barboza in the starting 11 with skipper Rocus Lamare marshalling the midfield. Recent signing Alesh Sawant who has been lively and given a good account of himself in the 3 games he has played thus far is also likely to retain his place in the starting 11.
An enthralling contest is on the cards with everything to play for between 2 sides looking to stamp their authority on the domestic league ahead of the Hero I-League that kicks off in under a month.
