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Pune FC square off with I-League leaders Churchill Brothers aiming for a favourable result to strengthen and further their hopes as contenders to the title.
Currently placed third and a match in hand over their opponents, Pune FC go into Round-23 seven points adrift of the Goans hoping that the refurbished Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa proves lucky on Friday.
For Pune FC, on their fourth visit to the state, the game at Vasco is a first. In fact, on all previous visits Pune FC has topped all Goan opposition this season and serves the much-needed confidence ahead of the encounter.
Pune FC Coach Derrick Pereira says, “It’s an important mach for sure in view of moving up. Yes, a favourable result will help us put pressure on the Top 2, but before that it a lot of hard-work.”
Hosts Churchill Brothers, fresh from their win in the AFC Cup, is certain to pose tough customers. But going by their form on the domestic circuit there has been a dip. Statistically, the Goans have managed only 1 win and picked up 7 points in their last 6 I-League games played since the end of January.
In the interim, the Goans had to let go their star Lebanese duo of centre-back Bilal Najjarin and striker Akram Moghrabi, who were vital in the teams’ good form.
As a result, Indian captain and striker Sunil Chhetri (on loan for Sporting Lisbon), Afghan national striker Balal Arezou, and ex-PFC Senegalese defender Lamine Tamba were recruited in the second window, for this end of season run-in for the Goans, as they battle on dual fronts.
Chhetri, incidentally, is yet to open his I-League account in three games. However, he has netted twice in three AFC games, while the Afghan is yet to open his account after four appearances so far. Both, incidentally, are the Top-2 scorers of last season’s SAFF Championship.
With matches coming thick and fast, both at home and abroad, the home side has often been stretched to the limit leading to many key players and foreigners getting injured.
The notable absentee on the morrow will be captain and Brazilian playmaker Beto. However, Indian national midfielder Lenny Rodrigues, Tamba, Gabonese Henry Antchouet and wingers Steven Dias-Bineesh Balan are expected to be back after being rested for the last AFC game in Pune.
Striker Henry (11 goals) leads the Churchill scoring charts and adds sting to an attack that has Chhetri and Arezou.
Pune FC, on their part, has midfielder Douhou Pierre back in the squad. However, goalkeeper Abhra Mondal and medio Arata Izumi misses the game. While Abhra Mondal is injured, Arata is serving a one-match suspension (owing to 4 yellow-cards).
Keeper Amrinder Singh has travelled as Abhra’s replacement.
Having maintained a hundred percent record in Goa, Pune FC will be keen to extend the run one last time. Furthermore, Pune FC would also hope to take heart from being the best travelers’ having picked up 18 points when away from home, the highest among the I-League teams.
Pune FC Coach adds, says, “We have to perform like our previous visits to Goa. Look to improve and get better. And tomorrow, God willing, if we can put on a similar performance the result will only go on to make the league interesting.”
Both teams over the years have engaged in encounters wherein the visiting team has performed better. Thus, Pune FC can further their confidence having dominated the hosts with 2 wins and a draw in the 3 matches at Goa.
Likewise, Pune FC will also be on the look out to correct their first-leg loss at home after being done in by a late penalty despite braving more than a half the match with 10 men.
“One needs to draw the positives from the last match (v Churchill Brothers in Pune) ahead of this clash… we were down a man, we dominated, before a dubious penalty did us in,” the coach adds.
Moreover, for Pune FC a victory will be utmost important going by the head to head factor that is considered ahead of goal difference just in case teams are tied on points eventually.
Friday’s game under lights, incidentally, will have three players come up against teams they featured for back in 2010-11. The three include; Churchill’s Tamba and likewise, Pune FC’s Khanthang Paite and Boima Karpeh.
FORM RUN (Last 5 Matches)
Pune FC (3rd, 37 points): W-D-W-L-L
Churchill Brothers (1st; 44 points): D-D-W-D-L
HEAD-2-HEAD
04/11/12 I-L Pune FC 0-1 Churchill
15/04/12 I-L Pune FC 0-2 Churchill
21/12/11 I-L Churchill 0-2 Pune FC
31/05/11 I-L Churchill 2-3 Pune FC
22/01/11 I-L Pune FC 0-1 Churchill
20/05/10 I-L Pune FC 4 -1 Churchill
28/10/09 I-L Churchill 1-1 Pune FC
PFC ‘Away’ Form: W-L-W-W-W-W-W-W-L
CB ‘Home’ Form: W-D-W-W-W-W-L-W-W-W
