PUNE, April2 2 27: It might look Churchill Brothers have more or less clinched this year’s I-League. But, Pune FC are not ready to make it that easy. On Sunday, they meet Air India in the Round 6 match that was called off mid-November following the death of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.
Churchill still have two matches remaining — one against Mohun Bagan at home and one against Air India at Balewadi. And they will have to earn two points from those matches to be declared the champions. Till then, hopes are alive for Pune FC.
In fact, even if Churchill clinch the title, Pune FC can surely cement their position at No. 2 on the I-League table, which, by no means, is a mean feat.
This would be the 25th match of the season for Derrick Pereira’s side and they are currently on 46 points, three ahead of the third-placed East Bengal and five behind leaders Churchill Brothers.
Fan support does work well for Pune FC, and on the morrow it will be all the more evident given its Sunday evening and they have more than one reason to give their best.
Besides the best I-League finish at stake, the crack combination will be playing for the first time at home after coach Derrick Pereira announced that he is parting ways with the side at the end of the season. It is to Pereira credit that Pune FC has rose to such a stature in a very short time since its I-League debut in 2009.
“In Pune, we have our strength in our very vocal supporters. It makes a huge difference in building confidence. And we hope that our twelfth man - the fans, come out in numbers on Sunday,” said Pereira.
Air India is second from bottom in the I-League table. They succumbed to a 6-0 defeat against Pune FC at the same ground a week ago in Air India’s home match, but given that Sunday’s face-off is the penultimate game in the 26-round league, Pune FC will be extra-cautious in their game plan.
“They are a side known for fighting spirit,” the Pune FC coach reminded.
Having scored a first by beating Mohun Bagan in an away match, confidence is at peak no doubt. The African troika of James Moga, Boima Karpeh and Douhou Pierre will again be at the helm after having created havoc with Air India defence last Saturday.
The kick-off is at 6.30 pm.
Churchill still have two matches remaining — one against Mohun Bagan at home and one against Air India at Balewadi. And they will have to earn two points from those matches to be declared the champions. Till then, hopes are alive for Pune FC.
In fact, even if Churchill clinch the title, Pune FC can surely cement their position at No. 2 on the I-League table, which, by no means, is a mean feat.
This would be the 25th match of the season for Derrick Pereira’s side and they are currently on 46 points, three ahead of the third-placed East Bengal and five behind leaders Churchill Brothers.
Fan support does work well for Pune FC, and on the morrow it will be all the more evident given its Sunday evening and they have more than one reason to give their best.
Besides the best I-League finish at stake, the crack combination will be playing for the first time at home after coach Derrick Pereira announced that he is parting ways with the side at the end of the season. It is to Pereira credit that Pune FC has rose to such a stature in a very short time since its I-League debut in 2009.
“In Pune, we have our strength in our very vocal supporters. It makes a huge difference in building confidence. And we hope that our twelfth man - the fans, come out in numbers on Sunday,” said Pereira.
Air India is second from bottom in the I-League table. They succumbed to a 6-0 defeat against Pune FC at the same ground a week ago in Air India’s home match, but given that Sunday’s face-off is the penultimate game in the 26-round league, Pune FC will be extra-cautious in their game plan.
“They are a side known for fighting spirit,” the Pune FC coach reminded.
Having scored a first by beating Mohun Bagan in an away match, confidence is at peak no doubt. The African troika of James Moga, Boima Karpeh and Douhou Pierre will again be at the helm after having created havoc with Air India defence last Saturday.
The kick-off is at 6.30 pm.
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