Dempo to miss Chidi Edeh for clash against JCT

And with Dempo coach Armando Colaco already complaining about the chill factor here, JCT might just have the slight edge. But for both teams, what should cause more concern will be the absence of key players. Nigerian Chidi Edeh, Dempo’s spearhead, will be sitting out this match as will local hero and JCT playmaker Sunil Chhetri. Both are serving a two-yellow card penalty.

Anthony Pereira will be seen in action up front with Ranti Martins for Dempo, while Praveen Kumar will replace Chhetri in JCT’s line-up for tomorrow. Dempo lead the points table with 13 points from five games while JCT are just two behind. Both teams are unbeaten thus far.

This morning, JCT forwards tried out their shooting skills. Being fed from the flanks, they tried to find the mark from inside the penalty area.

Dempo coach Colaco today iterated that the cold conditions in Delhi will make it difficult for his team, who are traveling from the rather pleasant Goan climate. “It is my main worry as there is not enough time to acclimatise.

“If the sun shines bright like today, our players wouldn’t face much of a problem. But if it’s cold like it was when we arrived on Friday then it would be difficult.”

JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh played down the weather factor. “We have also been travelling to various places. There is no way it will benefit either team,” he said.

But he also said that there was no extra pressure on tomorrow’s match. “Scoring goals is as important as good defence. It’s a 90-minute game. I have never told my players to go in with the mentality of either drawing or winning a match. The team that plays well will win,” he said.

(with inputs from Navneet Singh)