By IANS
Margao : Former National Football League champions Salgaocar Sports Club, now at the bottom of the heap in I-League, are pretty much resigned to their fate as they clash with the relegation-threatened Viva Kerala here Saturday.
Salgaocar have managed just seven points so far from 15 matches, and coach Savio Medeira knows only a miracle can save them what with just three matches to play.
“Miracles don’t always happen,” admitted a surprisingly candid Medeira.
Even if Salgaocar win all three matches, they would still not be assured of avoiding being relegated.
“We have to depend on other teams dropping points. Not everything is in our hands at the moment,” said Medeira.
He has a point, but tomorrow’s clash is of gigantic importance, said the genial coach.
“It’s our best, and perhaps the last, chance to grab a win,” said the coach, under whose reign the team has not won a single match in 15 previous outings.
“We’ve done reasonably well in many games, but lost out due to lack of concentration at the back. Viva Kerala presents the best chance.”
Salgaocar’s desperation to grab a win has forced Medeira to change his strategy.
The coach is contemplating using both his foreign strikers – Nigerian Felix C. and Kenyan Boniface Ambani – while sacrificing Rwandan defender Hery Habimana. The rest of the squad automatically selects itself.
Viva Kerala (12 points), too, are leaving no stone unturned to grab full points Saturday. A win tomorrow will provide hope for the southern giants while any other result could mean serious relegation worries.
“We frittered away a good start,” admitted Viva Kerala coach E. Sreedharan, pointing to the string of positive results at the start, including a cherished win over Mohun Bagan in Kolkata.
“We must grab full points tomorrow or else all our efforts will come to nothing. It’s a huge game tomorrow.”