I-League 2023-24: Sreenidi Deccan take on NEROCA

Sreenidi Deccan were the I-League runners-up last season.

Sreenidi Deccan Football Club will open their I-League 2023-24 football season with a home fixture against NEROCA Football Club here at the Deccan Arena stadium on October 29, Sunday. The Deccan Warriors finished as runners-up the previous year and are aiming to go one better this time as they gear up for their test against the Manipur-based side.

Sreenidi Deccan FC began their pre-season training in August and the time leading up till this date has been utilised in bedding together new players, new ideas and building match fitness. "We have had a good pre-season. We set some goals during this period and I feel we have achieved them. Testing ourselves against some Indian Super League teams also helped and we are ready to compete," said head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto.

As many as 14 new faces were brought in over the summer at Sreenidi Deccan FC including 3 overseas players of great experience. "They have adapted well to the team, the city and the playing style we want to implement. We brought them here because they have certain characteristics and qualities which we felt would help us," added the Portuguese.

Sreenidi Deccan FC did the double over NEROCA FC last season, beating them home and away but Vaz Pinto is not taking anything for granted. "The standard of coaches and players is increasing every year in the I-League so we are prepared for a tough game tomorrow," he concluded.

The match will kick off at 4:30 PM IST and will be telecast live on Eurosport India, the Indian Football YouTube channel and the FanCode App.