PUNE, March 23: Pune FC haven’t had a rosy outing in the IFA Shield, but that should not dampen their spirits as the I-League Football championship action resumes after 40-day odd break.
As the business end of the I-League begins, there will be very little chance of flip-flop and Pune FC knows it very well as they take on Shillong Lajong FC in the Round 21 match at the Balewadi Sports Complex stadium here on Sunday (March 24).
What should act as a positive for Pune FC is that they won their Round 20 match against Mumbai FC and also having registered their biggest-ever win in beating United Sikkim FC 6-1 in their final IFA Shield group match.
Also having beaten Lajong in the away fixture in the Round 13 match earlier in the season, should also give Pune FC some inspiration.
“We are looking at nothing less than a win. The team has shaped up well particularly after a drop in form during our campaign before the break,” said Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira.
“It’s always nice to begin on a good note. A win will help us with the momentum needed in our final assault. To me, this is important,” he added.
Both teams have met twice in Pune in the top-flight and played out a draw each time. In 2009-10, the Lajong held Pune FC to a 1-1 draw, while the league opener in 2011-12 Lajong ended goalless.
Since both team’s promotion to the top flight in 2009, all the matches they have played have been close. A majority of the games have been draws, and neither team has managed to win by more than a goal and the game on the morrow expects to be a similar test.
Lajong are being coached by long-serving assistant coach Thangboi Singto after Des Bulpin was sacked due to poor run of results by the north-east side.
With Lajong returning to a more fluid attractive attacking style in a bid to pull away from the relegation battle they are involved in, they’ve picked up vital points in recent matches against fellow bottom-dwellers United Sikkim FC and Air India.
The opponents will be fresh when they take the field on Sunday as they haven’t been involved in any competition in the 45-day league-break.
Pune FC, on the other hand, was involved in the IFA Shield where they felt short of making the semi-finals.
“Our preparation leading into the game has been good. In the IFA Shield we played some good matches and I must say that most players are fitter,” the Pune FC coach said.
The break has also given time for Lajong to help their new foreign recruits acclimatise to the conditions. Japanese duo of attacking midfielder Taisuke Matsugae and attacker Sho Kamimura have already made a couple of appearances and Kamimura has already netted twice in the league.
Also, on-loan Blackburn Rovers Reserve striker Edinho of Portugal will replace Nigerian Friday Gbeneme, will be in line for his debut. The new recruits definitely add to Lajong’s arsenal.
Meanwhile, for the home side, winger Velington Rocha is probably the only injury-concern and fellow winger Nikhil Kadam is leading the Under-20s in Jamshedpur. Rest of the squad is fit and will be available for selection.
The kick-off is at 7 pm.
As the business end of the I-League begins, there will be very little chance of flip-flop and Pune FC knows it very well as they take on Shillong Lajong FC in the Round 21 match at the Balewadi Sports Complex stadium here on Sunday (March 24).
What should act as a positive for Pune FC is that they won their Round 20 match against Mumbai FC and also having registered their biggest-ever win in beating United Sikkim FC 6-1 in their final IFA Shield group match.
Also having beaten Lajong in the away fixture in the Round 13 match earlier in the season, should also give Pune FC some inspiration.
“We are looking at nothing less than a win. The team has shaped up well particularly after a drop in form during our campaign before the break,” said Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira.
“It’s always nice to begin on a good note. A win will help us with the momentum needed in our final assault. To me, this is important,” he added.
Both teams have met twice in Pune in the top-flight and played out a draw each time. In 2009-10, the Lajong held Pune FC to a 1-1 draw, while the league opener in 2011-12 Lajong ended goalless.
Since both team’s promotion to the top flight in 2009, all the matches they have played have been close. A majority of the games have been draws, and neither team has managed to win by more than a goal and the game on the morrow expects to be a similar test.
Lajong are being coached by long-serving assistant coach Thangboi Singto after Des Bulpin was sacked due to poor run of results by the north-east side.
With Lajong returning to a more fluid attractive attacking style in a bid to pull away from the relegation battle they are involved in, they’ve picked up vital points in recent matches against fellow bottom-dwellers United Sikkim FC and Air India.
The opponents will be fresh when they take the field on Sunday as they haven’t been involved in any competition in the 45-day league-break.
Pune FC, on the other hand, was involved in the IFA Shield where they felt short of making the semi-finals.
“Our preparation leading into the game has been good. In the IFA Shield we played some good matches and I must say that most players are fitter,” the Pune FC coach said.
The break has also given time for Lajong to help their new foreign recruits acclimatise to the conditions. Japanese duo of attacking midfielder Taisuke Matsugae and attacker Sho Kamimura have already made a couple of appearances and Kamimura has already netted twice in the league.
Also, on-loan Blackburn Rovers Reserve striker Edinho of Portugal will replace Nigerian Friday Gbeneme, will be in line for his debut. The new recruits definitely add to Lajong’s arsenal.
Meanwhile, for the home side, winger Velington Rocha is probably the only injury-concern and fellow winger Nikhil Kadam is leading the Under-20s in Jamshedpur. Rest of the squad is fit and will be available for selection.
The kick-off is at 7 pm.
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