Pune: Pune FC seek to open their winning account when they take on Sporting Clube de Goa the second team in this year’s I-League who have fought themselves back among the elite after a one-season absence.
Both sides go into this Friday, October 28 encounter late evening encounter at the Balewadi Sports Complex with a point each after registering identical results with different scorelines from their opening matches.
The draw against Shillong Lajong FC was not the best result for Pune FC, but as coach Derrick Pereira explained, “Any opening game is a nervy affair for any team as no side wants to begin on a back foot. The point gave us confidence, helped us settle our nerves and we would want to take on those positives against our Goan opponents.”
Sporting Clube de Goa come into the game playing out a 2-2 draw with Prayag United SC and are a young side with a dash of experience, which makes them a fighting unit. While the additions of Ogba Kalu Nnanna in the midfield and the sigining of south Sudan striker James Moga add the teeth in Sporting’s line up the retention of the core team from last year expects to hold them in good stead.
In fact, Moga’s brace of goals helped the Goans win a point from their game against Prayag United in Round 1
“They have been doing well in the Goa League,” opined the Pune FC coach
On the game on hand, the coach adds, “we need to be sharp and put our best foot forward,” refering to the two-guilt edged chances that his team created in the opener and fell short on converting.
“We need to concentrate on our attacks and moreover need to finish the chances we create. I am expecting an improved performance after negotiating the tricky opener,” says the coach.
Derrick also felt that his side could do better in the midfield and in saying so hinted of a reshuffled side that will take the field against the Goan side. “Yes expect to have some changes,” he quipped.
The home side for this match as well will miss left wing half Paresh Shivalkar, who has not yet recovered from a recurring hamstring injury that seemed to be irritated during the teams Durand Cup campaign recently.
Barring the experienced local lad Paresh the coach gave a thumbs up to all players – barring Subrata Paul and Mandjou Keita. The good news that the coach announced was the fast improving fitness of central midfielder Asim Hassan. “Asim has shown progress and along with the rest on the bench add to the good options on hand,’ the coach added.
For Sporting the game would be their first away tie, while for Pune it is their second back-to-back home tie.
Both teams have met twice in the 2009-10 season, with Pune FC winning the home tie convincingly after drawing their first-ever meeting in Goa.