I-League: Sporting host East Bengal

After a disappointing performance last season, Sporting Clube de Goa would look for a positive start when they lock horns against East Bengal in their opening match of the I-League at Nehru Stadium here tomorrow.

In this file photo, Bengaluru FC and Sporting Clube De Goa players are engaged in fight during the Federation Cup semi final.

After a disappointing performance last season, Sporting Clube de Goa would look for a positive start when they lock horns against East Bengal in their opening match of the I-League at Nehru Stadium here tomorrow.

Sporting Clube de Goa is one of the two Goan clubs participating in the I-League this season along with Salgaocar FC, in the absence of Dempo FC and Churchill Brothers. Sporting, who finished eighth last year in the I-League, have already won the domestic Pro-League title.

Barring the four foreigners, the team mainly consists of local lads who are out to prove themselves. Captain Odafe Okolie will be leading the charge along with other three foreigners in defender Loveday Okechuwku, Mohmoud Amnah and Densil Theobold.

Among the local talent, Rowllin Borges and Nicholas, who has been taken on loan from Churchill Brothers, have showed a lot of promise in the Pro-League.

Coach Mateus Costa is confident that his team will do well this time and improve their position. “Our team comprises of mainly of local talent and have done well to lift the Pro-league title. Tomorrow we are looking for a positive start against formidable East Bengal and we need crowd support to win tomorrow,” stated Costa.