Durand Cup: Pune FC face Vasco SC for a semifinal berth
Having logged their biggest-ever win in the competition with a 3-0 victory over Churchill Brothers in the previous match, Pune FC will be confident going into the game against Vasco and would like to maintain the winning momentum.
Furthermore, a win will not only help Pune FC log the best ever group-stage performance (beating the previous best of 4 points in 2010 & 2011), but also will send Pune FC into the semifinal only for the second time ever in the competition after 2011.
Pune FC go into the game leading Group-IV with 3 points, ahead of Vasco (2nd, 1 pt) and Churchill Bros (3rd, 1 pt) after the game between the two Goan sides ended in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
The result means that Pune FC needs just a draw to seal its place in last-4. However, with both sides still in contention for the semifinals, there’s no space for any complacency.
“I have made it clear to the team that we cannot play for a draw, we have to play our normal game and win the match. It will help us build our confidence for the next round,” said Coach Karim Bencherifa after a training session at the Benaulim Football Ground.
Going into the game, Pune FC will be missing two players from action – keeper Amrinder Singh who serves a one game suspension and striker Thongkhosiem Haokip who suffered a minor injury in the previous game.
In first choice custodian Amrinder’s absence, Coach Bencherifa will have to choose between Arup Debnath and Moniruzzaman Ansari on the matchday.
On the other hand, Vasco SC comes into the game after a 1-1 draw in their first game with a chance to qualify for the last-4. Like Churchill Bros, the young Vasco team also carry forward the experience of a long Goa Pro League campaign and will provide a challenge for Pune FC.
Interestingly, while both sides have met before in a couple of tournaments, it will be the first time they face off in the Durand Cup.
The game kicks off at 3.45 PM IST on Tuesday.
HEAD-2-HEAD
28/02/13 - PPC - Pune FC 6-2 Vasco SC at Pune
01/05/08 - IL-2 - Pune FC 3-4 Vasco SC at Guwahati
31/03/08 - IL-2 - Pune FC 0-1 Vasco SC at Pune
CAPTION
Pune FC players train at the Benaulim Football Ground ahead of their clash against Vasco SC
PHOTO CREDITS: PUNE FC
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