A confident Sporting Clube de Goa will strive to close the gap at the top against Bengaluru FC when they meet Shillong Lajong tomorrow in the Airtel I-League championship here in Mapusa.
The win against Dempo SC in their last outing has taken Sporting to the second place with 21 points from 12 matches. Bengaluru FC, the current table-topper, have 27 points from 13 matches.
Shillong Lajong team, which has played one game more than Sporting, is placed fourth with 20 points.
Sporting faces no injury worries and coach Oscar Bruzon will once again depend on defender Gonzalo Neila to hold the fort and ward off the challenge from their opponents, particularly Cornell Glen, who is in supreme form and the main goal scorer for the visitors.
Boima Karpeh, another key player for Sporting, has scored goals regularly and the team will look up to him to carry forward the winning momentum.
Bruzon said their last match against Dempo was fought on even term.
"It was a tactical game where we played better in the second half. Both teams had their chances and in the end it was decided on penalty where we scored.
"I hope the boys carry on the winning momentum and win tomorrow which will help us to close the gap at the top against Bengaluru FC," said Bruzon.
Shillong Lajong, too, are doing well and has a good away match record. They have been creative in their attack strategy, which has helped them win matches.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who is spearheading the attack for Shillong Lajong, is the man whom Sporting will try to keep under check.
Glen has scored regularly for the visitors and the home team will keep a close watch on him.
With both teams going into the match with identical record in their respective last five encounters -- two wins, an equal number of draws and a loss each -- an interesting battle is on the cards here at Duler Stadium.
