Margao: Hindustan Aeronautics' Limited (HAL) face a do-or-die battle to avoid relegation as they prepare to take on Dempo in the concluding match of the I-League at the Nehru Stadium, here on Wednesday.
With Salgaocar winning the championship after beating JCT (2-0) to take their points tally to an unbeatable 56 points, Dempo now have no option but to beat HAL and finish second with a possible 53 points.
Even if Churchill Brothers win against Pune FC today they will finish with 53 points. But they have an inferior head-to-head result against Dempo, and should Armando Colaco''s boys win on Wednesday, Churchill will be pushed to third place.
With the curtains coming down after tomorrow''s match, the fear of relegation is looming large on four teams -- Air India, JCT, ONGC and HAL.
For HAL, who are at the bottom with 21 points, Wednesday's result is important as a win will help them to save relegation as they will finish with 24 points, the same as Air-India, ONGC and JCT respectively.
But the latest I-League regulations mean that head-to-head results between the teams who are tied, is given importance rather than the goal difference.
HAL coach Thyagarajan knows that they have no choice but to win against Dempo who are on a high after the 14-0 mauling of Air India, a league record.
"We have to remain focused and play to our potential as Dempo will come hard on us as they need victory to finish second," stated Thyagarajan.
Dempo's coach Armando Colaco is proud of his boys after winning 14-0 against Air India, which brought them close to winning the title.
"Now we have no option but to win Wednesday's match and finish on a high note behind Salgaocar, stated Colaco.
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