HYDERABAD – Dempo assistant coach Mauricio Afonso insisted his team will not change their approach despite needing to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg of their AFC Cup semi-final tie against Safa.
Hamze Aboud’s last-minute strike in Beirut two weeks ago handed the initiative to the Lebanese side but the mood at Dempo is one of confidence as they aim to become the first club from India to reach the final.
“We’ll play our normal game although we are under a little pressure after going a goal down in the first day,” said Afonso, who spoke in the absence of ill head coach Armando Colaco.
“We cannot afford to be defensive. We have to go out and attack them because we must score two goals to win the tie.
“But we have not played since October 12 so we are well rested and ready for the challenge.”
Goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal did not travel to Hyderabad due to a back injury while Brazilian midfielder Roberto Mendes Silva is doubtful with a shoulder problem and Clifford Miranda is suspended after picking up his second yellow card in the knockout stage.
”The rest of the team are in good shape but with three players out, it will be difficult for our team particularly in midfield without Miranda and Roberto,” added Afonso.
“But it is the team effort that counts so we have to pull together and not rely too much on individual players.”
Despite being designated as their ‘home’ game, the Goa-based club have been forced to play the second leg in Hyderabad, 800 kilometres away due to the unsuitability of the Nehra Stadium.
“We won’t have too many supporters to cheer us on,” admitted Afonso
“I would be the happiest man coach if we do make it to the final.
“No Indian club has even the reached semi-finals before so to reach the final would be a tremendous achievement for us.”
Safa arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday and will be missing midfielder Amer Khan for the clash through suspension.
Safa have yet to lose a game in their AFC Cup debut, racking up five 7-0 aggregate demolition of Malaysian side Perak in the quarter-finals.
“The experience of playing AFC Cup has been very good for us. It is our first time participating so we did not think that we would get this far in the tournament because didn’t know what to expect when the tournament began,” boss Samir Saad said.
“We haven’t lost a single match so far in our run and I’m hoping that we can maintain that record as I’m looking forward to getting to the final.
“I respect Dempo a lot and they truly deserve to be in the semi-final although the pressure will be on them because they are a goal down in the tie.”
Source:The AFC.com
Hamze Aboud’s last-minute strike in Beirut two weeks ago handed the initiative to the Lebanese side but the mood at Dempo is one of confidence as they aim to become the first club from India to reach the final.
“We’ll play our normal game although we are under a little pressure after going a goal down in the first day,” said Afonso, who spoke in the absence of ill head coach Armando Colaco.
“We cannot afford to be defensive. We have to go out and attack them because we must score two goals to win the tie.
“But we have not played since October 12 so we are well rested and ready for the challenge.”
Goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal did not travel to Hyderabad due to a back injury while Brazilian midfielder Roberto Mendes Silva is doubtful with a shoulder problem and Clifford Miranda is suspended after picking up his second yellow card in the knockout stage.
”The rest of the team are in good shape but with three players out, it will be difficult for our team particularly in midfield without Miranda and Roberto,” added Afonso.
“But it is the team effort that counts so we have to pull together and not rely too much on individual players.”
Despite being designated as their ‘home’ game, the Goa-based club have been forced to play the second leg in Hyderabad, 800 kilometres away due to the unsuitability of the Nehra Stadium.
“We won’t have too many supporters to cheer us on,” admitted Afonso
“I would be the happiest man coach if we do make it to the final.
“No Indian club has even the reached semi-finals before so to reach the final would be a tremendous achievement for us.”
Safa arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday and will be missing midfielder Amer Khan for the clash through suspension.
Safa have yet to lose a game in their AFC Cup debut, racking up five 7-0 aggregate demolition of Malaysian side Perak in the quarter-finals.
“The experience of playing AFC Cup has been very good for us. It is our first time participating so we did not think that we would get this far in the tournament because didn’t know what to expect when the tournament began,” boss Samir Saad said.
“We haven’t lost a single match so far in our run and I’m hoping that we can maintain that record as I’m looking forward to getting to the final.
“I respect Dempo a lot and they truly deserve to be in the semi-final although the pressure will be on them because they are a goal down in the tie.”
Source:The AFC.com
