I-League: Pune FC hope to seal top-half finish; host Dempo SC

Having dominated head-to-head against the five-time league champions in the past, Pune FC will look up to the prevailing record (6W – 2L – 3D) and hope to maintain it.

Furthermore, with influential players Douhou Pierre and Calum Angus back into the squad, Coach Mike Snoei expects his side to put on a show.

“The result (2-0 win against Kitchee) was a confidence-booster, but we need to follow up the historic feat with a similar result. This is something I’ve constantly been reminding the players all week long,” added the Dutchman.

Since the league resumed in February, Dempo SC have played a total of nine games out of which eight were at home. Moreover, the only ‘away’ game they played was against Churchill Brothers in Goa making the clash against Pune FC their first real away game in three months, something the hosts will hope to capitalise on.

Dempo’s backline will be marshalled by Australian Simon Colosimo and Afghan international Haroon Amiri, posing a massive challenge for the Pune FC strike-force led by Mirjan Pavlovic and Riga Mustapha.

The match kicks off at 6.30 pm on Monday.


Pune FC (7th, 29 pts): W-L-L-D-L

 

27/11/13 – IL – Dempo SC 1-1 Pune FC
28/03/13 – IL – Pune FC 2-0 Dempo SC
17/12/12 – IL – Dempo SC 1–5 Pune FC
05/02/12 – IL – Dempo SC 0–1 Pune FC
19/11/11 – IL – Pune FC 1-3 Dempo SC
17/09/11 – FEC – Dempo SC 1–2 Pune FC
27/05/11 – IL - Pune FC 3–2 Dempo SC
16/01/11 – IL – Dempo SC 2–1 Pune FC
27/05/10 – IL -Dempo SC 1–1 Pune FC
22/12/09 – FEC – Dempo SC 1–2 Pune FC
01/11/09 – IL – Pune FC 1–1 Dempo SC

 

Photo: A file photo of the Pune FC team training at the Balewadi Stadium