Salgaocar keen to maintain momentum against Mohun Bagan

Margao, Jan 14 (PTI) Salgaocar have their task cut out asthey face Mohun Bagan tomorrow in the ninth round of theI-League, to be played at the Nehru Stadium here.

Salgaocar, who got back their winning momentum after tworegistering two straight victories -- against AIFF XI and athrilling win over Churchill Brothers -- would be looking tocarry it forward when they face a depleted Mohun Bagan.

Bagan suffered their second�straight defeat after SubhashBhowmick took over the reins from Standley Rosario.

On the other hand, Salgaocar have been consistentlyplaying well as a team. With six wins and two losses, theyhave managed to maintain their second spot with 18 points,four points behind table-toppers East Bengal.

The team''s attack revolves around Japanese striker RyujiSueoka and his immense running has kept the opponents'' defenceunder tenterhooks.

Ryuji, who plays as a withdrawn striker, has been asource of inspiration for the midfield and has kept the attackgoing along with Yusif Yakubu.

He has been well supported on the flanks by GilbertOliveiro and Anthony Barbosa, which saw him scoring�sevengoals.

Salgaocar''s defence has also held the forte well withcaptain Luciano Somborosa leading the charge.

However, team coach Karim Bencharifa is keeping hisfingers crossed as he is aware that it is going to be easyagainst Bagan, who have got some good foreign players likeBaretto, Chidi and Muritala in their ranks, who are capable ofchanging the tide in their favour on a given day.

"I expect my boys to play the same way they haveperformed against Churchill to maintain the winning ways,"Bencharifa said. .

Meanwhile, Bagan are struggling to get their rhythm right. Four defeats have pushed them to ninth place with eightpoints.

Although they have a lethal strike force in the form ofEdeh Chedi, Jose Baretto and Muritala Ali but they have failedto fire so far. The midfield has not performed�as per theexpectations.

The defence, which is the weakest link, will have to givetheir best against Salgaocar who have a good strike force.

Bagan coach-cum-manager, Subhash Bhowmick knows that theycannot afford another defeat as it will further demoralise thespirit of the team.

He has warned his boys to give their best in order tocollect full points against Salgaocar, whose spirits are highafter six victories and also have a home advantage.