Pune FC, placed fifth in the table with 23 points from 15 outings, may not have the chance to win the title this time, but are poised for an impressive finish on debut.
An away win and a draw against giants East Bengal (2-1) and Mohun Bagan (0-0), respectively, must have lifted the spirits of the rookies Pune FC. And quite naturally they would go for the kill when they take on a depleted Air India in a Round 16 ONGC I-League match at the Cooperage on Sunday.
It was quite clear from their hour-long practice session at the Cooperage that they would leave no stone unturned to bag three points, but without making any promises. Crafting moves from within and saving one-on-ones topped their agenda. “All I want to say is that we want to play good football tomorrow, winning or losing is not in our hands,” Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira said after a light session.
Whereas Air India, already lurking in the relegation zone, will try to salvage some pride from this match, but with a different approach altogether. “We will go for full three points, though Pune FC is a very good side,” Air India coach Yousuf Ansari announced.
While Pune FC are going in with a full-strength side, Air India will miss the services of Iranian Behnam Foroughhird and Harpreet Singh through injuries. “Not having both is a blow, but still the team is motivated to win this match,” Ansari told DNA.
But Ansari admitted that it would be tough ask on Sunday. “We will have to play really well to snatch three points. We shortlisted few teams against whom we will go for all the three points and from now we will take it match by match,” Ansari revealed. Airmen had a light training for about 35 minutes at their Kalina facility.
Pune FC, placed fifth in the table with 23 points from 15 outings, may not have the chance to win the title this time, but are poised for an impressive finish on debut.
Air India, on the other hand, have been ravaged by mid-season change of coach and eventually, the style of play. Hovering in the relegation circle with only 15 points from as many matches, Air India surely won’t mind sharing points to avoid the Damocles sword.
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