I-League Media Team

PUNE: Virtual back-to-back matches makes it hard for the teams, but that is the nature of sport and football is no different. As the Hero I-League Football championship enters crucial phase, there is a scramble to earn points and secure place in the top table.

With three draws, a win and a loss has stranded Pune FC on the No 4 position, while other clubs have consolidated their positions at the top. That makes Tuesday’s Round 15 match against Salgaocar FC crucial given that the Red Lizards have not scored a win against the Goans since 2012.

The familiar foes Salgaocar, now coached by Derrick Pereira, who till 2013 was with Pune FC, could be a trick opponent given that the Goans are now with full strength.

The two teams meet on the back of having drawn 1-1 at Goa in the season opening match in January, but that result will have no bearing on Tuesday’s match given that both teams have seen several changes in their respective sides.

Pune FC is playing their second game in four days after being held to a 1-1 draw by Bharat FC, the Red Lizards are fired up to score a win that has eluded them for so long.

Coach Karim Bencherifa, however, wants his side to be cautious against a strong Salgaocar side.

“There was hardly any time to think about the last game. As soon as the final whistle blew, we started thinking about this game because we had just two days. However, we had a discussion to highlight a few things from the previous game that we need to improve and work on. At the same time, we also worked on the positives from the game. Every game is a tricky one in the I-league due to the competitiveness and we need to be prepared,” said Coach Bencherifa during the pre-match media briefing.

Salgaocar FC (14 pts) currently in the 5th place in the table just three points behind fourth placed Pune FC (17 pts).

Bencherifa wants his boys to shrug off poor run and get back to winning ways. With the big game against East Bengal coming up this weekend, Pune FC will hope to get the most out of the Salgaocar game to carry forward the momentum.

“Salgaocar is a team that likes to play football and are known for their fair play like us. The three games that we have played against them in this season have all been closely fought. Tomorrow, it won’t be any different and we are looking forward to a good match,” Bencherifa said of Salgaocar.

Pune FC will be missing the services of medio Dhanpal Ganesh, who was red carded in the match against Bharat FC Nonetheless, the squad will be boosted by the return of medio Arata Izumi who is back after serving his one match suspension for receiving four yellow cards.

Also, Portuguese winger Edgar Marcelino is a doubt for the game having been substituted early on with a hamstring injury. Apart from a couple of long term absentees, the rest of the team is fit and will be available for selection on matchday.

Salgaocar FC has come here on the back of a mixed run of results. The Goans have lost thrice and won twice alternatively in their last five games with the latest being a defeat to Mohun Bagan in Kolkata.

Playmaker Douhou Pierre will be the key player for Salgaocar. The Ivorian will be joined by another former Pune FC defender Gurjinder Kumar. Apart from Douhou, the likes of Daryll Duffy, Francis Kasonde and Khaled Hasan will form the spine of the team while Rocus Lamare, Subrata Paul and Augustine Fernandes will add to the experience.

Match Kick-off: 7 March @ 7:00 PM

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