Panaji: Dempo SC's dream of returning to the top tier of Indian football will be on hold for at least another year. Dempo are sixth in the Championship race, 14 points behind leaders Diamond Harbour and eight behind Shillong Lajong and Rajasthan United, who they face at the Namdhari Football Stadium in Sri Bhaini Sahib on Friday.
It has been an underwhelming campaign, where Dempo won just two games, both at home, and managed to stay among the top six due to their head-to-head record against Aizawl FC. The title, and qualification to the top tier, is now out of reach, but coach Samir Naik has asked the management to continue with the same squad for better results next season.
"If we retain the same squad and prepare well, we can get results," Samir told TOI during the pre-match media interaction on Thursday. "Just look at Sebastian (Gutierrez). He joined us a day before the opener against Real Kashmir, so it was challenging for him to adjust to the conditions, understand the club philosophy and know the coach's mindset. The AIFF should have done better. They delayed the announcement of the league. This season has been very challenging."
Samir used Gutierrez as an example because he was on the video call during the interaction. The Colombian midfielder is nowhere close to the form that took Churchill Brothers to the top of the I-League table last season, and it is largely due to the uncertainty at the start of the season.
"This season is different," said Gutierrez. "Last season, we had a good pre-season, there was enough time to prepare, and it showed in the performance on the field. This time around, I did not even know if I would play or not. We did not know about football in India."
Samir said the uncertainty meant Dempo did not sign foreign players until the start of the league was confirmed by the All India Football Federation. At the Super Cup, fielding an all-Indian side, the five-time former league champions did well by holding Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Their opponents, though, were better stacked as Diamond Harbour and Rajasthan, two of the top three teams, experimented with their foreign signings.
"Now, in the championship, it is difficult for us to finish in the top four since the gap is too much to bridge in the remaining four games. But the boys are trying. The idea is to pick as many wins as possible," said Samir.
Dempo and Rajasthan opened their Championship phase campaigns with differing outcomes. Rajasthan suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat against Sreenidi Deccan, while Dempo were held to a goalless draw by Shillong Lajong.
Rajasthan will look for a win to keep the pressure on Diamond Harbour, while Dempo need a win to boost morale and convince the management that it is worth giving this side another chance.
