Kolkata: Misfiring teams Mohun Bagan and former champions Dempo will look to revive their I-League fortunes when they meet in a round 15 clash here tomorrow.
Only two points separate the two teams.
Dempo earned a goalless draw against United SC, while Mohun Bagan had to come from behind to hold Mumbai FC as both clubs have managed only 11 goals from 13 games.
Mohun Bagan have struggled to find consistency in Karim Bencherifa's second spell and managed to win back-to-back matches only once this season.
Despite having one of the all time best I-League strikers in Odafa Okolie, Mohun Bagan are yet to fire up their campaign.
Odafa has netted just once in five matches, while new signing Christopher Chizoba, who bagged a brace on debut against United SC in round 13, failed to score against Mumbai FC.
But Bencherifa would take heart from the fact that his side earned a point in the last game despite lagging behind.
If they earn all three points against Dempo tomorrow, Mohun Bagan could end in top six.
"I am looking for consistency. Nobody has run away with the I-League yet. The league is still wide open and we have a good realistic chance to go into better positions," Bencherifa said.
Dempo also showed great character to keep a clean sheet against United SC despite playing without a foreigner, and are in fact, unbeaten outside Goa with one win and four draws from five matches.
The Goan club have kept clean sheets in their last two away matches in Kolkata but their youngsters will have their task cut out against Odafa and company.
Sporting looks to close gap at top in I-League
Sporting looks to close gap at top in I-League
Mapusa (Goa): A confident Sporting Clube de Goa will strive to close the gap at the top against Bengaluru FC when they meet Shillong Lajong tomorrow in the Airtel I-League championship here in Mapusa.
The win against Dempo SC in their last outing has taken Sporting to the second place with 21 points from 12 matches. Bengaluru FC, the current table-topper, have 27 points from 13 matches.
Shillong Lajong team, which has played one game more than Sporting, is placed fourth with 20 points.
Sporting faces no injury worries and coach Oscar Bruzon will once again depend on defender Gonzalo Neila to hold the fort and ward off the challenge from their opponents, particularly Cornell Glen, who is in supreme form and the main goal scorer for the visitors.
Boima Karpeh, another key player for Sporting, has scored goals regularly and the team will look up to him to carry forward the winning momentum.
Bruzon said their last match against Dempo was fought on even term.
"It was a tactical game where we played better in the second half. Both teams had their chances and in the end it was decided on penalty where we scored.
"I hope the boys carry on the winning momentum and win tomorrow which will help us to close the gap at the top against Bengaluru FC," said Bruzon.
Shillong Lajong, too, are doing well and has a good away match record. They have been creative in their attack strategy, which has helped them win matches.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who is spearheading the attack for Shillong Lajong, is the man whom Sporting will try to keep under check.
Glen has scored regularly for the visitors and the home team will keep a close watch on him.
With both teams going into the match with identical record in their respective last five encounters -- two wins, an equal number of draws and a loss each -- an interesting battle is on the cards here at Duler Stadium.
