Pune, Apr 3 (IBNS) Pune FC will be keen to move up in the table when they face Salgaocar FC in a crucial I-League Round-24 encounter at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Friday.
For starts, a win for Pune FC will change the dynamics at the top of the table. On the other hand, with only three rounds remaining, a slip up would prove costly.
Furthermore, with Pune FC having failed to log a win in the last few games, other teams have catched up making it a six-way race for the championship.
Going into this crucial game, Pune FC will take confidence from their dominant past record against the Goan side.
However, failure to capitalise on chances cost Pune FC dear, something they will avoid to repeat.
“In our previous I-League game against leaders Bengaluru FC, we proved that our team has the quality to battle against one of the best. If we can kick our performance up a notch compared to the Bengaluru game, we can get a good result against Salgaocar and keep the title-race open,” said the Dutch Coach.
“We are very lucky to have three home games at the end of the season and we need to take advantage of them,” he further added.
Upfront, the Goans’ will be heavily relying on the attacking duo of Scottish striker Daryll Duffy (11 goals) and Nigerian attacker Dudu Omagbemi (4 goals).
At the back, Salgaocar’s defense will be led by ex-Pune FC player Chika Wali along with Aussie Matthew Foschini.
The last time both sides met in November, they ended up playing a 1-1 draw, but Pune FC was awarded a 3-0 win due to the Goan side fielding ineligible players.
Thus win on the morrow will not only improve Pune FC’s overall record against the Goans but will also equalize the home record.
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