I-League: Pune FC aim to build on impressive start; take on Mohun Bagan

Pune FC will aim to build on their impressive start to the 2015 I-League campaign when they face Mohun Bagan in a crucial Round-5 away encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.

The clash will be an important one for both sides for similar reasons. While a win will help top placed Pune FC (10 pts) strengthen their grip at the summit of the standings, a positive result for hosts Mohun Bagan (6^th, 4 pts) will also help them move up the table.

Playing their first match in the City of Joy this season, the game will also be Pune FC’s third away fixture in the I-League and 17^th overall away game since October. Moreover, having logged three consecutive wins after an opening day draw against Salgaocar FC, Pune FC will hope to extend their unbeaten run.

“It was a pleasing performance from the players in the last few games. We have played some fantastic attacking football and I think the players have showed a lot of dedication and discipline in these games,” said Coach Karim Bencherifa on the sidelines of a training session at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.

Pune FC will be confident going into the game on Saturday after a thrilling Maha-Derby win over Mumbai FC last weekend. However, the task at hand won’t be an easy one against Mohun Bagan who too are unbeaten in the I-League.

Moreover, the match on Saturday will be an exciting one for Coach Karim Bencherifa as he takes on his former side for the first time at the Salt Lake Stadium as a Pune FC Coach.

Speaking about the opponents, he added, “They are a good side and I rate them very highly. We have already faced Bagan twice this season. The game on Saturday will also be a tough match given that they will be playing at their home. But we too mean business, and are prepared for the challenge.”

Having already clashed twice in the King’s Cup semifinal and the Federation Cup group stage earlier this season, both sides, Pune FC  and Mohun  Bagan do have a fair idea about each other. While both these games ended 1-1 after ninety minutes, Pune FC have the upper hand given the fact that they won the first game in Bhutan on a penalty shootout.

On the team news front, Pune FC have made just one change to the 18 member squad with winger Anthony D’Souza replacing defender Salam Ranjan Singh in the travelling squad. With all members fit and raring to go, Coach Bencherifa will have a lot of options ahead of the game.

On the other hand, hosts Mohun Bagan come into the game on a two-match unbeaten run after a win and a draw in their opening two games against Mumbai FC (home) and Salgaocar FC (away) respectively.

Boasting a strong team, Bagan will rely heavily on their overseas attacking trio of Cameroonian striker Pierre Boya, Japanese playmaker Katsumi Yusa and Haitian winger Sony Norde to fire up front.

The defense will be marshalled by Nigerian Bello Rasaq along with the experienced Anwar Ali and Pritam Kotal. The likes of Lalkamal Bhowmick, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh will also provide options across the offensive line.

Over the years, both sides have faced off 14 times in four different competitions. Having logged four wins against Bagan’s five in these meetings, Pune FC will be eager to set the record straight. Furthermore, in ten I-League encounters over the past five years, both sides have a similar record sharing three wins each.

The match kicks off at 4.30 PM IST on Saturday.

HEAD TO HEAD

01/01/15 – FEC – Mohun Bagan 1-1 Pune FC 

30/11/14 – KCB – Mohun Bagan 1(5)-1(6) Pune FC

21/12/13 – IL – Mohun Bagan 3-1 Pune FC

10/10/13 – IL – Pune FC 2-0 Mohun Bagan

24/04/13 – IL – Mohun Bagan 1-3 Pune FC

08/03/13 – IFS – Mohun Bagan 3-0 Pune FC

02/12/12 – IL – Pune FC 2-2 Mohun Bagan

06/05/12 – IL – Mohun Bagan 2-0 Pune FC

03/01/12 – IL – Pune FC 2-1 Mohun Bagan

21/03/11 – IFS – Mohun Bagan 2-0 Pune FC

12/02/11 – IL – Mohun Bagan 0-0 Pune FC

03/12/10 – IL – Pune FC 1-1 Mohun Bagan

10/03/10 – IL – Mohun Bagan 0-0 Pune FC

13/11/09 – IL – Pune FC 1-3 Mohun Bagan