It is a do or die battle for former champions Salgaocar, who take on Mohammedan Sporting on Saturday in the last National Football League encounter at Nehru stadium, in Fatorda, Goa. It is a match that will decide which team gets relegated for next season's elite league.
Salgaocar, who are at the bottom with 12 points, two behind Mohammedan Sporting, need an outright victory to avoid the ignominy, while the Kolkata outfit only needs a draw to stay in the top division next season.
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Inconsistent performances and erratic finishing by the strikers have seen Salgaocar hit the bottom. They are now in danger of being shunted to the second division for the first time.
The Goan team, which is a known fighter, especially against stronger opponents, played their best match at home, beating East Bengal, and will need to repeat the performance if they are to win against Mohammedan Sporting, who in all probability will play defensively as they need only a draw to avoid relegation.
"My boys now know what to except from them as they cannot afford to miss any scoring chances if we are to win. The draw against Sporting Clube de Goa in the last match has boosted the morale of the team, which is all geared up to give their best. Hopefully, they would perform to their best and come out winners that will help us to avoid relegation," Salgaocar coach Savio Medeira said.
