U19 I-League 2014-15: Pune FC kick off campaign against Mumbai FC

With the competition following a similar format like the previous edition, two-time former champions Pune FC have been placed in the Maharashtra Zone along with local side DSK Shivajians and Mumbai’s Kenkre FC, PIFA Colaba FC along with Mumbai FC.

It will be the fifth tournament of the season for Pune FC; and having played in four different all-India open tournaments since the start of the season, the youngsters will be confident ahead of the opener on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of the competition, Coach Naushad Moosa said, “We played a total of four all-India open tournaments in and outside Pune where we came up against stronger and bigger opponents. As a Coach, it helped me analyse our weaknesses and strengths which helps us a lot ahead of the U19 I-League.”

Moosa further added, “The team is gelled up well as a cohesive unit and is looking much better. We have been working really hard for the past six months and we can see it in the positive body language of the youngsters.”

Having won the championship in 2011-12 and 2012-13, Pune FC had a disappointing run in the zonal rounds in 2013-14 where they finished second in the group and will be hoping to better their performance this time around.

The zonal rounds will be played in a home-and-away format with top-two teams qualifying for the final round.

Pune FC Schedule:

13/12/2014 – Pune FC vs. Mumbai FC at Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi

19/12/2014 – Pune FC vs. DSK Shivajians at Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi

29/12/2014 – Pune FC vs. PIFA Colaba FC at Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi

02/01/2015 – Pune FC vs. Kenkre FC at Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi

07/01/2015 – Mumbai FC vs. Pune FC at Cooperage Ground, Mumbai

13/01/2015 – DSK Shivajians vs. Pune FC at DSK Dream City Ground, Loni

23/01/2015 – PIFA Colaba FC vs. Pune FC at Cooperage Ground, Mumbai

27/01/2015 – Kenkre FC vs. Pune FC at Cooperage Ground, Mumbai