Pune: Pune FC was greeted with a change in opponent on the eve of their season opener game in the 125th Durand Cup.
Scheduled to play Army Red, Pune FC will instead open their campaign against Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at the Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, on Thursday.
While the eleventh hour switch hardly mattered, Pune FC, Coach Derrick Pereira remained focused. “Both teams, I am sure, are tough challengers. However, for us the game is our first competitive match,” he said.
Last year’s semifinalists, Pune FC go into the game after a satisfying second half preseason, which included six friendly matches in eight days against Goan sides. “We did well in all matches. Results were satisfactory, and the team shaped well.”
During preseason, Pune FC sparred with the best from the costal state and remained difficult to break by drawing seven matches. The Coach, however, picked the forward line as a concern. That is because; strikers Jeje Lalpekhlua and James Moga were engaged in their own National team preparations during preseason.
With Jeje added to the squad, Pune FC will lean on his experience with Subash Singh and increase the conversion rate. Derrick says, “Jeje presence will make a difference owing to the experience he owns.”
The Mizoram-striker, in fact, was spot on scoring a goal against Churchill Brothers during in friendly game that ended 2-2 on Monday. “In the short time he played Jeje showed total determined as if he wanted to prove a point,” the Coach viewed. Last weekend, Jeje was not considered in the Indian squad for the Nehru Cup.
Exuding confidence, the coach added, “I expect to start with a bang,” but also makes it a point to note that CRPF should not be taken lightly. “They would be physically fit and is expected to run a lot.”
“To counter we shall have to play a smart game and depend on well thought out tactics,” the Coach explained after a light practice session.
CRPF, meanwhile, have gone through the grind of playing the qualifying rounds and are high on confidence. For Pune FC, the ground remains another aspect to deal, which means going straight into the match.
“I am unaware of the ground conditions and yet to see it,” added the coach.
In this first-time meeting between the two sides, the Pune FC Coach has a fully fit squad at his disposal. The only concern is newly-signed defender Zohmingliana Ralte, who has trouble in the groin after taking a knock in Goa.
The match kicks off at 4.30 pm.
