I-League Media Team
PUNE: Licking wounds after a mind boggling 0-2 home defeat at the hands of defending champions Benguluru FC, Pune FC face another daunting task when they play last home game of campaign against leaders Mohun Bagan in Round 19 match of the Hero I-league football championship at the Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium here on Saturday.
Lying fifth on the table with 23 points below East Bengal on goal difference, the Red Lizards can leap-frog the Kolkata outfit if they beat Bagan and East Bengal looses or draws at home against Dempo SC.
On the other hand Mohun Bagan, who sit on the top with 28 points, with a two points cushion, cannot afford any slip up as in-form Royal Wahingdoh, who ended Bagan’s 12-match unbeaten streak with an impressive 3-2 victory, will be hosting Mumbai FC.
When Pune FC and Mohun Bagan met in a Round 5 encounter in Kolkata, Pritam Kotal’s strike in the final quarter of the game had settled the tie in Bagan’s favour. This will be the fourth time these two teams will take on each other in all tournaments, and have matched each others with win a piece and a draw.
Now when they face each other at the very crucial juncture of the season, they will look to settle for nothing but all three points which will come their way.
Looking to end home campaign on high, Pune FC coach Karim Bencherifa has already put mid-week loss to Benguluru FC behind and is looking forward to game against Kolkata outfit.
“The game against Bengaluru FC was a tough one. Despite the difficulties we were facing, the boys put on a brave performance. We had our chances but at the end it was few mistakes that proved costly.”
“Mohun Bagan are a very strong side. They are currently leading the table but their loss in the last round will make this game an interesting one. It will be a challenging match, but we are prepared for it,” Bencherifa said.
Pune FC will look to put of key players like Darko Nikac who is one of the leading goal scorers of the tournament and Dhanpal Ganesh back in the starting XI. Return of playmaker Edgar Marcelino, who played the second half against Bengaluru FC, also gives Coach Bencherifa options in the midfield.
The Kolkata side will have to deal with the suspension of striker Balwant Singh who serves his two match suspension for a sending off against Royal Wahingdoh.
Nonetheless, Bagan will heavily depend on the overseas quartet of striker Pierre Boya, defender Bello Rasaq and wingers Katsumi Yusa and Sony Norde. Meanwhile, the likes of Denson Devadas, Dhanachandra Singh and Anwar Ali will add to the experience.
Based on the current form Bagan will start favourites but the Red Lizards have the potential to dent leaders lead at the top and stay on course.
Kick-off: 25-04-2015@ 7 PM
Hashtag: #PFCvMMB
