Vasco take on Fransa

Margao:

Governor's Cup champions Vasco Sports Club will lock horns with Fransa Sports Club in the inaugural match of the Goa leg of the National Football League, to be played at Nehru stadium, here tomorrow. Vasco who finished sixth in the last edition of the NFL, have done well despite not having star players in their team, but coach Derrick Pereira knows that this time things will be more competitive as four teams will be relegated at the end of the league. "The difference among the teams in the NFL is not much except for the big three teams - defending champions East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mahindras. "We have to start well else we will end up complicating things for ourselves," said Derrick. "We cannot take Fransa, who are making their debut lightly, as they are a tough and unpredictable side. We had two practice matches against them and both ended in a draw". "We did not start well this season, but now our boys are shaping well and are all eager to give their best. We have recruited two brazilians- midfilder Sidney S Gonsalves and striker Fabio Xavier to strengthen the attack which looks suspect in the upfront. Gonsalves will play tomorrow if his ITC gets cleared," disclosed Pereira. (PTI)