I-League: Salgaocar look to collect first points this season (Preview)

Salgaocar would look to collect their first points this season when they lock horns with top flight newcomers Aizawl FC in an I-League encounter at the Tilak Maidan here on Sunday.

Aizawl on the other hand, would look to improve on their points tally of just three from four outings. Salgaocar too have featured in four games but have failed to get off the mark.

The home side lost their opener against Bengaluru FC 1-2 on January 9. C.K. Vineeth's strike was nullified by Salgaocar talisman Daryl Duffy. But then Sunil Chhetri found the winner for Bengaluru.

In their second game against defending champions Mohun Bagan, the Goan outfit were thrashed 2-4. Salgaocar then lost to Mumbai FC 1-2 and Shillong Lajong 0-1.

Aizawl have faced almost a similar situation barring one game. They lost to Bagan 1-3 and then were beaten by Bengaluru 0-1. However, they put up a strong show against DSK Shivajians, another new team in the league this year, to win 2-0 but surrendered their last game against Sporting Clube de Goa 0-2.

The hosts would ideally want to grab all three points from their encounter on Sunday, but Aizawl are a team who are good on the counters and might surprise the rival defence with pace.

But if the likes of Duffy and his striking partner Thongkhosiem Haokip are on song, then the visitors from the north-east might find it difficult to stop the hosts from scoring.

Both teams have players who have loads of pace and the match is expected to be high on tempo, but the finishing has not quite been there in the last few games and so goals might not come easily.

Aizawl's Liberian striker Alfred Jaryan has not quite found his feet in the I-League yet, but if he gets into the groove on Sunday, then he will be the biggest threat to the Salgaocar rear guard.