KOZHIKODE: Oscar Bruno Barreras, the Spanish coach of Sporting Clube de Goa, was on cloud nine when East Bengal defeated Bengaluru FC 2-0 in the last Group ‘B’ match at Manjeri. Victory of the Kolkata team meant his team’s progress from the group to make the second semifinal, to be held at Kochi on Thursday, a Goan affair.
Though not so gripping, Dempo SC also had to wait for the last minute to ensure their qualification from Group ‘D’ as they beat Mohammedan SC 2-0. Football fans can expect a beautiful game when these two Goan giants meet.
Sporting Clube de Goa, the winners from the group of death, will be oozing confidence as they came back spiritedly when they had only a faint chance to qualify for the knockout.
Their forwards Boima Karpeh and Victorino Fernandes are in the best form. With the midfield bolstered by Beevan D’Mello and defence safely guarded by Spanish Gonzalo Neila, Sporting will have to just play their natural game to make an impact.
While Dempo SC coach Arthur Papas was relieved by the new additions, he will be more satisfied with the way his forwards are playing. Though Jeje found it hard to create any major chances, Beto was intimidating with his moves and Clifford Miranda hard working. Amiri, the attack-minded defender who was signed by Dempo recently, proved effective in leading the defence and feeding the forwards with his timely interceptions.
Papas also has lots of options to choose from the squad as Alwyn George, Holicharan Narzary and Sanju Pradhan have shown their mettle whenever used. It will be a big game for Australian Arthur Papas and his team, who are reeling in the 10th position of the I-league table, much below Sporting Clube de Goa who are comfortably sitting on the second rung.
