Dempo take on Al Tilal in AFC Cup

Dempo recently lost to Qatari giants Al Saad 0-2 in their AFC Champions League play-off and Armando Colaco’s side would look to pick up from that experience when they open their AFC Cup campaign at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi.

“Playing in Qatar has given us a great deal of experience and we will try to make the best use of that in this AFC Cup,” Colaco said today at the pre-match press conference.

“It will be a good match although we are playing away from home in Pune. My boys are geared up for the first game under floodlights,” he said, alluding to his side having to play their ‘home’ match here due to Nehru Stadium in Margao unable to host matches under lights.

Meanwhile, skipper Ranty Martins was unperturbed by the fact that they are playing their ‘home’ match here.

“The situation could not be avoided and let’s face reality. I don’t think the venue will make a big difference as we have played here before. We will try to make the best use of the conditions and emerge victorious,” said the Nigerian.

Al Tilal head coach Seyoum Kebede Eshetu said that this was the first time that he ever led the Yemen side at the AFC Cup. “It will be a new experience. It will be a tough match considering the fact that Dempo are playing at ‘home’. Dempo are a good side,” he said.