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Margao: Coach Derrick Pereira appealed to the football faithful of Goa and in particular the club’s fans, to turn out in large numbers as Salgaocar FC take on Bengaluru FC in the first semi-final of the 127th edition of the Durand Cup.
Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest tournament has moved to Goa for the very first time in it’s illustrious history and Salgaocar will be chasing their third Durand Cup having won the 1999 and 2003 editions. Derrick has won the Durand Cup twice himself, once with Salgaocar FC in 1999 and as coach of Mahindra United in 2008.
“It would be fantastic to win this prestigious trophy on home soil in front of our fans. However, we are taking it one game at a time and don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves”, cautioned the gaffer.
Salgaocar FC made their way to the semi-finals having topped Group A with 4 points from a win and a draw. Bengaluru FC on the other hand also completed their league engagements with a win and draw in Group C.
“It would be great to see a full house on Thursday and I sincerely urge the fans to get behind us. The semi-final [against Bengaluru FC] should make for a riveting contest” exclaimed Derrick. “We have prepared ourselves well and the boys are raring to go”, he added. In what is sure to be the Greens’ toughest test this season, Derrick will take plenty of heart from the fact that his side have made a near flawless start to the season, being unbeaten in 11 games.
Add to that, the fact that 9 different players have found themselves on the score sheet over the course of the 11 games thus far this season and it is no surprise therefore, that Salgaocar’s threat does not come from their forwards alone. Ivorian Douhou Pierre has been the stand out performer in the Durand Cup having netted thrice already in the tournament and will need to dish out another performance if the Greens are to make it to their third Durand Cup final.
Salgaocar FC have traditionally been well supported in South Goa and will bank on some vociferous home support to egg them on. Come the 6th of November, all roads shall lead to Raia.
