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Pune FC takes on first-timers Sesa FA, Goa in their final phase Under-20 I-League assault at the JRD Sports Complex, Jamshedpur, on Saturday, 16 March 2013.
Having finished second in Group-A with 9 points, defending champions Pune FC will engage themselves in five rounds of competition that ends on March 24.
Matches have been scheduled on alternate days, with a one-day rest period, meaning all teams will be in action over 9-days.
Pune FC’s opening game at JRD against Group-C toppers Sesa FC is one of the three the club will play at the venue. The other two are scheduled at the Gopal Stadium.
Pune FC Head of Youth Development, Ranjan Chowdhury, said, “The journey will be tough on the players owing to the conditions and continuous matches. However, we are geared up for the challenge and will put our best foot forward.”
He added, “The six who have made it through have taken their appointed spots on expected lines.”
Interestingly, Pune FC is the only squad from West Zone to qualify for the final squad. Four teams
The qualifiers for the final phase include;
Group-A: Salgaocar FC (10 pts); Pune FC (9 pts)
Group-B: Tata Football Academy (10 pts); East Bengal (10 pts)
Group-C: Sesa FA (8 pts); Mohun Bagan (7 pts)
PUNE FC SCHEDULE
16 March: Pune FC v Sesa FA – 3.00pm – JRD Complex
18 March: Salgaocar FC v Pune FC – 3.00pm – Gopal Stadium
20 March: Pune FC v Mohun Bagan – 1.00pm- JRD Complex
22 March: Pune FC v Tata Football Academy – 3.00pm – Gopal Stadium
24 March: East Bengal v Pune FC – 3.00pm – JRD Complex
