I-League: Aizawl, Salgaocar gear up for relegation battle (Preview)

Aizawl FC and Salgaocar FC will battle it out to avoid relegation when they meet in an I-League clash here on Monday.

While bottom-placed Salgaocar have earned 13 points from as many matches. Aizawl FC have gathered the same amount of points although they have played one match more. The hosts are seventh in the nine-team table due to a better goal difference.

In their last encounter at Salgaocar's home ground, the teams had batled to a 1-1 draw. However, both teams have come a long way since then and are now desperate for a win to ensure their stay in the top division.

With three matches to go, Salgaocar head coach Santosh Kashyap is confident that his boys will be able to stave off relegation.

"We will play our next match as if it is the final. That is how we have been playing every single match this season. My boys have been reciprocated pretty well till now," Kashyap said at the pre-match press conference here on Sunday.

Salgaocar have conceded 22 goals this season, but Kashyap asserted that the Goans have finally managed to find balance in their side.

"We are now stable at both attacking and defending," the former Mohun Bagan coach claimed.

Salgaocar skipper Karanjit Singh also maintained that his team deserves to play in the top division next season,

"We do not think about relegation. We do our work and are fighting for a spot," he said.

Aizawl FC head coach Jahar Das also insisted that his team are gearing up for the pulsating tie against Salgaocar FC,

"We are confident about the match tomorrow," he said. "We will play an attacking game but will not forget to defend either."