Safa coach Samir Saad said the pressure in now on Dempo following their 1-0 win in the first leg of their AFC Cup semi-final clash.BEIRUT – Safa coach Samir Saad believes the pressure is now on Dempo after seeing his side take a one-goal advantage from the first leg of their AFC Cup semi-final in Beirut on Tuesday evening.
Hamze Aboud scored the only goal of the game in the final minute of play as the well-organised Indian side frustrated the Lebanese before Aboud’s last-gasp strike handed Safa a 1-0 win.
"We achieved the win at the end but it's better late than never," said Saad. "We controlled the game right from the beginning but we couldn't score until we made it in the last minute.
"We had the upper hand but the players were slow and the midfield was not good. However, things were good at the end as we scored a goal which will be good for us in the second leg.
"After this win, the pressure will be on Dempo who must win the game while we have two chances. But we will go for another win as it is dangerous to play for a draw."
Dempo coach Armando Colaco felt his side were unfortunate to lose in the last minute as they were hoping to earn a draw ahead of the return in Hyderabad in two weeks’ time.
"We had a good game today as we closed the back and were hoping to have some chances from the quick counter attacks," said Colaco.
"However, Safa got their goal in the last minute and that was devastating.
"We were hoping to get a draw from the game which could have been good for us before the second leg. But we couldn't score from the chances that we had.
"The second leg match will be hard for both sides as the chances are still open. It will be an open game and we will adapt an attacking method because we have nothing to lose."
Source:The AFC.com
