Dempo begin climb to the top

Panaji: Shallum Pires and Samir Naik were teammates when they helped Dempo SC win the Second Division I-League in 2016.
Seven years later, the two are on another second division mission, but while Samir, one of India’s most decorated defenders, is now the coach at Dempo, Shallum leads the team.
Their mission starts on Wednesday in the group D qualifiers when they face FC Goa developmental side at the Dempo football academy ground in Ella, Old Goa.
The teams feature in the Goa Professional League and were locked 1-1 earlier in the season.
While there is no qualification for Indian Super League’s reserve sides, Dempo will be highly motivated to climb up the ladder and return to the top.
“Everyone is eager to be in the I-League and ISL,” Samir told TOI after their training session on Tuesday. “We have prepared and planned accordingly. From the management, coaching staff, players, everyone is involved and is trying to push us.”
Dempo remains the most successful club in Indian football with five national league titles, even after pulling out of the I-League in 2016. It was as a mark of protest against the All India Football Federation’s roadmap that made the ISL as the top tier, without any opportunity for lower division teams to climb on top.
“I have seen FC Goa in the Goa league and they are well organised. Accordingly, we have planned our strategy. There are no easy and difficult teams, all are equal,” said Samir.
Dempo have a youthful squad available after opportunities were given to their junior players. They have recently signed a few players to strengthen them.
For the first time the league will not include foreign players, but the challenge is no different.
“With Samir as our coach, he always motivates us. We are all ready to go and play. Mostly, I think the teams will be equal. It will be a competitive league,” said Shallum.
Meanwhile, for FC Goa, it will be an opportunity to gain exposure and attract attention of their senior team. They have included three first-team players goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, Lesly Rebello and Lalremruata HP.
“To develop players individually and as a team, we wanted different kind of opportunities, which was absent in the past two years. But now, with the Second Division League returning, we are looking forward to continuing our process of growth,” said FC Goa coach Deggie Cardozo.
The kick-off is at 4pm.