KOCHI: It figured in the premier National League last season and finished third in the Goan Professional League a couple of months ago. But Salgaocar coach Savio Medeira would not like his club to wear the favourite's tag in the Second Division National Football League's Cluster II series which begins at the Nehru Stadium here on Monday.

"If we are overconfident then it could be a problem on the ground. We respect every opponent. And your Viva Kerala looks good," said the former international.

Still, Salgaocar, which defeated NFL heavyweight Dempo and drew with Churchill Brothers in the Goan League, appears to be the best-prepared side among the six teams here, having played seven friendly games over the last few days.

However, the club, led by Micky Fernandes, is without its Nigerian star Patrick Okonji Onyelo, a consistent scorer in the Goan League. Patrick suffered a shin bone fracture and another Nigerian, Felix Chimaokwu, has taken his place.

Interesting mix

The six teams here make an interesting mix. While Srinagar's Jammu and Kashmir Bank, which has two Nigerians, has travelled to Mumbai, Goa and Chennai to get a feel of the hot conditions before coming here, Chennai's Indian Bank is loaded with Manipur stars, including James Singh and Jotin Singh who helped Tamil Nadu to the National Games final in Guwahati recently.

Though two foreigners are allowed in the Second Division NFL, Indian Bank has come with just one. "We are looking for a striker but we haven't found the right one. We didn't have the time too. We came to know that we were in the Second Division just a month ago," said Roque D'silva, the Indian Bank coach.

Indian Bank plays Viva Kerala in the league's opener tomorrow evening. The last time the two met, at the Third Division NFL in Chalakudy late last year, the Kerala League champion won 3-0.

"But I'm sure Indian Bank would have worked on the mistakes they committed against us. We won't take them easy," said Nigerian Baba Tunde, the Viva Kerala star.

Lajong SC, virtually the Meghalaya team which entered the semifinals of the National Games, and Army XI are the other teams in the fray. Three teams from this group will enter the final phase. Two teams from the final phase, which will be a six-team affair, will enter next season's premier NFL.

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