I-L: Pune FC look to move up the table; take on Royal Wahingdoh

Playing their second away game in a row, third-placed Pune FC (16 points) will also be eager to close the gap at the top of the table and a win on Sunday will be key as the league enters the final two months. Similarly, fourth-placed Royal Wahingdoh (14 pts) too hope for a positive result to climb up the standings.

Facing the Shillong-based side exactly a month after the first-leg clash at the Balewadi Stadium, Pune FC will be hoping to match and improve on the 1-0 win logged that night.

However, the game being played at a much higher altitude won’t be an easy one for Pune FC who played their last game in Mumbai at sea-level. The cold conditions in Shillong will definitely make a difference and Coach Karim Bencherifa wants his side to be prepared.

Nonetheless, having arrived in the Meghalaya capital on Thursday, Pune FC has completed a couple of sessions to acclimatise with the surroundings.

Speaking about the game on sidelines of the session, Pune FC Coach Karim Bencherifa said, “The change in conditions is part and parcel of the I-League. We have to adjust with that. But the game will be a tough one not only because of the weather but also because of the quality of the opposition.”

He further added, “We haven’t played many games with the full squad at our disposal. We have missed players to injuries and national camp. But we have to overcome these situations, and tomorrow I am really looking forward to the young players in our squad to step in and take their chance.”

The last time both sides faced off, Pune FC came out on top on a rain soaked chilly night at home. The conditions might be something similar on Sunday with rains being forecasted throughout the weekend.

On the team news front, Pune FC have travelled with almost the same team that faced Mumbai FC a week ago making just one change. While Darko Nikac misses out having suffered an ankle injury, influential midfielder Ryuji Sueoka returns to the Pune FC line up.

Meanwhile, Pune FC will continue to miss the trio of Amrinder Singh, Thongkhosiem Haokip and Nikhil Kadam who are all away on national team duty.

On the other hand, Royal Wahingdoh come into the game on the back of mixed results. Having suffered back-to-back losses before going into the international break, they resumed action with a 1-1 draw against Bharat FC at home.

The Santosh Kashyap-led side will depend heavily on their overseas contingent of Densill Theobald, Kim Song Yong and Bekay Bewar to lead from the front. Meanwhile, the likes of Jackichand Singh and Godwin Franco will add to the experience in the team

The hosts will be missing services of defender Loveday Okechukwu who serves a one game ban for receiving four bookings.

Both sides have faced just one time in the past with Pune FC coming out with a 1-0 victory at the Balewadi Stadium last month. Going into the game on Sunday, Pune FC will be keen to build on this clean record against Royal Wahingdoh.