Colaco has unfinished business, for in their last home match held in Goa, the jeepmen came up with a stunner to force the leading Goan outfit split points. At the Cooperage, Colaco would like to win the encounter and maintain his boys’ morale at the optimum level.

With the visitors’ Nigerian striker duo of Ranty Martins (with nine goals to his name) and Chidi Edeh (with six goals) on fire, it will be a tough task for the Mahindra United defenders to match wits with them. With NP Pradeep yet to regain full fitness, the Mahindra defence is looking a bit shaky.

However, it is their strikers’ lack of firepower that has been Mahindra United coach, Derrick Pereira’s foremost worry. The local Red Devils’ forwards have hardly scored any goals in the league so far and on the other, the Dempo defenders have allowed just six goals to be netted past them so far.

With the likes of Mahesh Gawli, Samir Naik, John Dias and Valeriano Rebello doing a fine job in the defence, it will be a tough task ahead for the jeepmen’s forwards to make any changes on the score board.

Though the likes of defender Peter Carvalho, Jerry Zirsanga, Clifford Miranda and Brazilian medio Roberto Mendes Silva (Beto) looked doubtful starters, Colaco said; “The bench has been our strength but with Peter ruled out, I’m a bit worried.”

But in the last match, Riston Rodrigues, who played at Beto’s position gave Colaco an option and also Cresson Antao would be back in the team.

Dempo goalkeeper Satish Kumar had to be operated on his index finger after he injured it during their clash with Churchill Brothers. Colaco says, “Satish’s hand is in plaster now, but he will be back soon and Abhijit Mondal (who stood under the bar in the last encounter against Sporting Clube de Goa) is also an experienced ‘keeper.”

Mahindra United’s woes have no end as their play-maker, Yusif Yakubu has been advised complete rest and also defender Harpreet Singh has twisted his ankle, while striker Tarif Ahmed got injured in Bangalore playing for his employers ONGC.

Sushil Kumar has been starting in the last three matches but is down with flu and hence is doubtful to start while their medio Azumi Arata is still recovering from a toe injury. The coach adds, “Though NP Pradeep is still not 100 per cent fit, it is necessary for him to be on the ground.”

Pereira has the final word: “They (Dempo) play attacking football, but I’m sure that my boys are raring to go.”