Pune FC look to exploit ‘home’ advantage

With three wins on the trot, Pune FC will rely on familiar surrounds to increase their points tally when they take on Mumbai FC in a encounter termed the ‘Maha Derby’ at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi on Sunday.

Technically, this weekend I-League Round-9 game for Pune FC is an away game and reasons enough to exploit advantage against opponents who have so far struggled in form.

However, the one factor Pune FC hope to keep away is complacency. Coach Derrick Pereira, explained, “We need to keep the momentum. The wins have done a world of difference in the team and the players are in a good frame of mind.”

Maintaining that consistency is the key, the Pune FC coach opined that his opponents have a fair mix of youth and experience and on a given day can work as a good unit and thus the only key is to concentrate on the job on hand.

On his team’s upward graph the coach kept it simple, “the players have worked hard and were determined to get on and rub off the past.”

While the game turns out to be home to both sides this season, Pune FC comparatively are miles ahead of their neighbors losing just once in five matches, whereas their opponents have one once in three games.

Pune FC go into the game with a full squad, but the coach as usual decided to keep his cards close to his chest. “We’ve had players who have stepped up. The last match saw just that. So until tomorrow it’s will be a wait and watch situation.”

Having travelled from Goa for the game the one thing that Pune FC will have to cope with is fatigue. Moreover the game for the first time will force Pune FC to play in the early evening. “The timing will not be a factor,” explains Derrick. The coach’s opinion is based on the cooler weather prevalent in the city as say compared to Goa which was much warmer.

Both teams barring the dip in form of Mumbai FC have engaged themselves in a close rivalry in the past. In five matches both have played at all levels, Mumbai FC hold the edge winning two, while Pune FC has won one. Two matches, both in Pune have ended in draw, which would mean a result by either team on Sunday would be a first between the teams.

Pune FC is currently 6th on the league table with 14 points and stand a chance of moving up into joint fifth place. Mumbai FC (7 points) languish in 12th place.