Dempo face high-flying Air India

Dempo are refusing to press the panic button despite suffering two losses on the trot in the I-League. The former champions, who were on a seven match unbeaten streak, lost quite unexpectedly against Churchill Brothers and East Bengal in successive games, but coach Armando Colaco is confident that his side will return to winning ways when they meet Air India at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday.

Dempo’s lead at the top has also been cut to just a point by Churchill Brothers, who can move to the top with only a draw against Shillong Lajong later in the day. But despite all of the handicaps, Colaco remains cool as ever. “I know my boys. I am not worried at all. Believe me, the boys will start winning again,” expressed Colaco.

Colaco, though, showed plenty of respect to rivals Air India, who got the better of Sporting Clube de Goa at the same venue in the last game and have previously scalped defending champions Salgaocar.

Air India coach Santosh Kashyap will make no changes to the side that stunned Sporting Clube. Air India are currently placed seventh with 13 points from nine games, and should they get a favourable result, or at least a point, they could move a spot ahead of Pune FC.

Pune FC, meanwhile, will take on Mumbai FC, who have had a forgettable season so far, at the Balewadi.