Pune: Pune FC is all set to mark another first in their youth development programme when the Club’s Under-17 team embarks for the 56th edition of the prestigious Subroto Cup International Football Cup in New Delhi.
Having earned success in Chandigarh recently by winning the Administrator’s Challenge Cup for the second time in a row, Pune FC are ready to be the first team from the city to participate in the oldest youth football tournament at the all-India level.
Primarily an inter-school event, 11 club teams from India and abroad would also vie for honours this year for the very first time.
Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, Coach Rakesh Walhekar said, “It’s a massive tournament and the games won’t be easy. We need to be at our best at all times and give our hundred per cent on the field to get the desired results.”
Pune FC, who announced a 16-member squad for the tournament, are placed in Pool-H and will begin their campaign against Kolkata’s East Bengal on Tuesday, October 6th, followed by clashes against Sweden’s BK Hacken (Oct 7) and Mohun Bagan (Oct 8).
Interestingly, the game against Sweden’s BK Hacken will also be the first time the Under-17s will face off against a foreign opposition.
Fifteen members who were part of the winning squad in Chandigarh, will travel directly to Delhi on Saturday night. Meanwhile goalkeeper Debopriya Das, who travels from Pune, will be joining the squad in the capital on Sunday.
The Team
Goalkeepers: Deepak Saravanan, Debopriya Das
Defenders: Asish Rai, Kiran Saravanan, Sahil Panwar, Hendry A, Jatinder Kumar, Tapas Pal
Midfielders: Omega Vanlalhruaitluanga, Muirang Wungngayam, Lalrinawma, Sachin K, Buanthanglun Samte, Omkardeep Singh
Strikers: Lugunlal Haokip, Lalawmpuia
Officials: Rakesh Walhekar (Coach), Ranjit Das
Group Stage Schedule
Pool-H
Round 1 – 06/10/2015 – Pune FC vs. East Bengal – 6.30 AM IST
Round 2 – 07/10/2015 – Pune FC vs. BK Hacken – 9.30 AM IST
Round 3 – 08/10/2015 – Pune FC vs. Mohun Bagan – 9.30 AM IST
