Dempo look for away point

Dempo Sports Club have their task cut out when they take on Lebanon outfit Safa SC in an away semi-final clash of the Asian Football Confederation Cup, reports Gordon D'Costa.

Dempo Sports Club have their task cut out when they take on Lebanon outfit Safa SC in an away semi-final clash of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup at the Sports City Stadium in Beruit on Tuesday.

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The Goa club which created history by becoming the first Indian team to qualify for the semi-finals of this championship are determined to return with at least a point. "We will try for the maximum. But we will be satisfied even with a point," Dempo coach Armando Colaco told HT from Beruit.

"We will be playing them in their backyard and the boys are aware of what to expect from them. I am confident that the players will put up a good fight and try to win," he further stated.

The Goan coach said that he does not have much knowledge about their opponents but has watched a couple of their matches on DVD. "All the players have seen some their matches and we will try to figure out on how to tackle them."

Colaco, who has had a successful stint with the I-League champions, was also happy with the players’ fitness, "All the players are in good shape and there will be no change from the team which won against Home United in Singapore in the quarter-final last month," he mentioned. He rubbished reports, which stated that goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal is not fully fit. “Abhijit has recovered completely and will do duty under the bar," he confirmed. Dempo had put up a good show the last time against Al Ansar drawing 1-1 and will be fully aware of the conditions. However, the only cause for concern for coach Colaco is the Lebanese food, “The food is not of our liking.”