Confident Sreenidi start with Neroca

Kalyani (West Bengal), Dec. 26: Debutants Sreenidi Deccan Football Club will be up against Manipur side Neroca FC in their opening match of the I-League at the Naihati stadium here on Monday.

Sreenidi come into the ILeague high on confidence after a remarkable runnerup finish on debut in the IFA Shield played earlier this month in Kolkata.

Sreenidi head coach Fernando Varela is confident about the capabilities of his squad. “We have had a very good pre-season in Hyderabad. We played the IFA Shield to figure out our level. Our players have character and personality. They will try their best to get all three points in the first match,” he said on Sunday.

Neroca head coach Khogen Singh said his players are looking forward to begin with a win. “Sreenidi is a very good team. We have seen them play the IFA Shield (where they finished runners-up). They have many young players and their coach is experienced. They are a competitive side. We will analyze them and we are looking to getting the three points from the match,” Khogen said.

In another match, an inform Real Kashmir FC faces former champions Aizawl FC. Their head coach David Robertson sounded confident of doing well in the league. “Our preparation was very good. We came early to Kolkata. The team played a few friendlies and took part in IFA Shield. We played four I-League teams, and the team is looking solid in terms of fitness,” Robertson said at the prematch conference.

“Aizawl is a very competitive side. They have some quality players. It will be a tough game for sure. We will make sure that we turn up and get all three points.”

He said his side will take one game at a time as any team is capable of defeating any other on a given day. “We are ready for the challenge. We are looking forward to the season.

In the third match of the day, Mohammedan Sporting of Kolkata will lock horns against Sudeva Delhi FC at the Naihati Stadium. —