I-League: Pune FC hosts Bharat FC in the historic first-ever Pune-Derby

The I-League Round-14 encounter will be an important game for both sides who face off for the very first time at any level. Furthermore, the game will also be the first time Pune FC faces any local side at a national level competition in the open section.

For fourth-placed Pune FC (16 pts), who are five points behind leaders Mohun Bagan (21 pts), the three points at stake will be very crucial as they hope to close the gap at the top of the table.

However, with bragging rights on offer, the game against eighth placed Bharat FC (10 pts) will not be an easy one as both sides will be looking to get the first-ever derby win.

For Pune FC, the encounter will be their second-of-a-kind derby fixture having played Mumbai FC in the prestigious Maha-Derby, the battle for state supremacy, for the past five years, and a similar high-intensity battle is expected on Saturday.

“Every derby clash is important with the hype that surrounds it. It is an important game for the fans and there will be a quite a lot of them who would be interested to experience a derby for the first time. It is definitely a historic game as it’s the first time that Pune has two teams, and both of them are very professional,” said Pune FC Coach Karim Bencherifa at the pre-match Press Conference.

Meanwhile, Pune FC come into the game on the back of a draw and a loss, both away from home, and will be keen to reverse their fortunes in familiar surrounds. While the game will be a tough one, the fact that Pune FC are still unbeaten at the Balewadi Stadium in five home games so far will definitely give them a confidence boost.

Furthermore, with five home games and an away fixture scheduled in the hectic month of April, every game will matter as the league enters its second half and Pune FC Coach Karim Bencherifa wants his side to step up to the occasion.

“For us, it is important not to get too excited by the occasion because we must not forget what is at stake - much needed three points, to put us in a good position in the table,” added Coach Bencherifa.

On the team news front, vice-captain Arata Izumi will be missing from action as he serves a one match suspension having picked up four yellow cards. Joining him on the sidelines might be a few other players who are still recovering from injuries.

Nonetheless, Pune FC will be boosted by the return of first choice goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, winger Nikhil Kadam and top-Indian goalscorer in the I-League Thongkhosiem Haokip. The trio were away on national duty in Bangladesh and their return will give Coach Karim Bencherifa much needed options on the field.

On the other hand, Bharat FC come into the game after playing a goalless draw against Dempo SC in Goa. The draw was their second in a row after an away 1-1 draw against Royal Wahingdoh FC.

The Stuart Watkiss-led side will be banking heavily on the on the overseas trio of striker Kris Bright, medio Robert Hassell and playmaker Romauld Boco. Adding to the experience in the squad will be skipper and defender Gouramangi Singh along with Mehrajuddin Wadoo and keeper Arindam Bhattacharya.

Interestingly, Bharat FC also boasts a number of ex-Pune FC players like Shahinlal Meloly, Naorem James Singh, Lester Fernandez, Subash Singh and G. Vignesh among others.

Going into their maiden clash, both Pune FC and Bharat FC will be eager to get that first win to claim bragging rights.

The game kicks off at 7.00 on Saturday and will be LIVE on Ten Action.

FORM RUN (I-League, Last 5 Games)
Pune FC (4th, 16 pts): L-D-W-D-D
Bharat FC (8th, 10 pts): D-D-W-L-W

The first-ever Pune-Derby will also see the presence of stars of the upcoming Marathi film ‘Kaakan’ - Jitendra Joshi, Urmila Adinath Kothare and Kranti Redkar along with the entire squad of Pune’s Kabaddi team ‘Puneri Paltan’.

PHOTO CAPTION

PFC1.jpg – The Pune FC team trains at the Balewadi Stadium on the eve of their clash against Bharat FC

PFC2.jpg – The Pune FC team trains at the Balewadi Stadium on the eve of their clash against Bharat FC

PHOTO CREDITS: PUNE FC