'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dempo SC players training (Credit: Goal.com)
Midfield: Clifford Miranda, Mandar Rao Dessai, Gabriel Fernandes, Romeo Fernandes, Jewel Raja, Roberto Mendes Silva, Peter Carvalho, Godwin Franco, Aniston Fernandes
The noticeable departures from the Dempo midfield include Climax Lawrence, Anthony Pereira and Joaquim Abranches. Despite the departure of the experienced campaigners, Dempo has made some smart signings and the midfield looks quite strong. Beto has returned to Dempo after spending two seasons at Churchill Brothers and is expected to lead the Dempo midfield once again.
Trending
Despite his age, Beto is still regarded as one of the best midfielders in the I-League and his vision and creativity in the heart of Dempo’s midfield will be crucial to the club’s fortunes. Peter Cavalho was one of the most consistent Dempo performers last season and the central midfielder played all over the ground as a right back, right midfielder and even as a central defender.
Godwin Franco came of age in the last season and will look forward to continue his impressive form this season too as he is expected to get more playing time after the departure of Climax Lawrence. After a rather disappointing season with Mohun Bagan last season, highly rated Jewel Raja will look to impress at Dempo under the tutelage of Arthur Papas. The presence of Jewel Raja and Godwin Franco gives Papas options in the midfield as in contrast to Beto and Carvalho, as the young mid-fielders could trouble the opposition with their speed and dribbling skills.
On the wings, Clifford Miranda is expected to retain his role on the left wing, despite the emergence of players like Vineeth and Ralte. Miranda, the skipper for last season, is known for his pin-point delivery from set pieces but can also cut in from the left flank and score crucial goals.
Youngster Mandar Rao Desai, who idolises Miranda and the Brazilian great Ronaldhino will be another option at Papas’s disposal on the left flank. 21-year-old Romeo Fernandes, who played under Papas at the AFC U-22 qualifiers, and Gabriel Fernandes, who has been roped in from Mumbai FC after an impressive season with the Mumbai based club, are the two quite able options for the right flank. Romeo, in fact, has already made a mark this season notching up assists and goals in the ongoing Goa Pro League.
Forwards: Joy Ferrao, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Billy Mehmet and Myron Fernandes
A misfiring forward line was another chief reason why Dempo SC struggled last season. The club never recruited any replacement for Ranty Martins and often played without a recognised striker after Koko Sakibo got injured. Papas, realising that this needed utmost attention, had no second thoughts in bringing in quality strikers in form of Jeje and Billy Mehmet.
Mehmet, a product of West Ham academy comes into the I-League after having a made a name for himself in the Scottish Premier League (SPL) and the A-League. Mehmet has already settled well even scoring for the club in the Goa League.
Jeje, regarded as one of the best strikers in the country at the moment, has come into to the club after a disappointing outing with the national team at the SAFF Cup and an injury prone last season, which forced him to be sidelined for most part of the season. He will provide Papas with a good option for the second striker, provided the foreign recruit becomes the first choice.
If on one hand Dempo has the experience of Jeje and Mehmet , on the other side, the speed and vision of Myron Fernandes, a academy graduate will come in handy for Dempo SC in the long run. Fernandes, a local boy from the stronghold of Mapusa, will hope to continue his academy form when he gets a nod from gaffer.
Myron has made his mark in the Goa-League by scoring at regular intervals for the club. Myron was the architect of Dempo’s wins over SESA and Margao, notching up three goals and a couple of assists, but will he replicate his domestic form on the bigger stage, only time will tell.
Though the team looks competitive on paper, how they actually perform on-field is ultimately the decisive factor for the future course of action at Dempo SC.
