Pune FC will bank on the winning run and a fit squad ahead of their clash against East Bengal in the I-League football here Monday.
Currently fourth on the League table with six points from two games, Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira is aware of the job on hand and remains focused to build upon the advantage. In contract, East Bengal are in the seventh place and have four points in their kitty.
Following a light workout Sunday, the coach opined: East Bengal as a team is an experienced side. But in saying so, I also do believe we have an equally good side to match anybody and, God willing, we can get a good result.
For the mid-afternoon game Monday, Pune FC having included goalkeeper Abhra Mondal, striker James Moga and midfielder Arata Izumi in their 18-man squad will be eager to relive their last victory over the hosts way back in 2009-2010.
Kolkata-born Abhra replaces Amrinder Singh from the side that played last. In fact, Abhra returns to the squad for the first time nine months after he cracked his right-leg shin bone in Shillong.
Abhra’s inclusion to the squad will mean a lot for the player himself. He will gain the confidence needed after staying away for a long period. He has the experience for big match situations and moreover knows what one should expect in Kolkata, the coach said.
With options aplenty, Pune FC are expected to hand starts to some of its new inclusions. Upfront Moga, who resumed training with the side since a week, seems a certainly to play alongside Jeje Lalpekhlua, with the focus on breaking the three loss run to Trevor Morgan’s side at Kolkata in previous outings.
Moga’s possible inclusion is something the Pune FC coach prefers to hold back until match day.
Moga is a good player and what is left to be seen is how fast he can strike an understanding with striker Jeje and midfielder Douhou (Pierre). And if that fits in place we have a set side.
However, the one area the coach feels needs to step up is the backline. Our defence will need to tighten up a bit.