Pune FC, which won its opening match against USFC, is hoping to capitalise on its victory this Saturday. The team will square off against Prayag United SC in a Group-D Federation Cup match in Jamshedpur.

Co-Leading the group with three points, Pune FC is aware a good result will take them that much closer to the semi-finals. While for Prayag a victory is a must-have if they are to fight it out for a semifinal berth.

Both teams will also have to deal with the beaten down pitch which could force changes in their play. The overnight rain and the PUFC-Salgaocar match further compounded the poor nature of the pitch.

Pune FC Coach Derrick Pereira said, “The pitch got worse and is not suited to play the ground ball… A change of approach is on the cards.”

For the match on hand, the Pune FC Coach felt that the need of the hour would be to defend the aerial balls. This is because PUSC boasts a good strike-force in Ranti Martins and Carlos Hernandez.

The two sides will meet for the 12th time in all-competitions.

“They (Prayag United) are an excellent side with good quality players in their line up,” the coach explained.

In fact, the battle could get entertaining when Pune FC strikers Jeje Lalpekhlua and Subash Singh fight it out against ex-team-mate goalkeeper Subrata Paul.

“The players are in a good frame of mind after the win over United Sikkim,” the coach said, while declining comment on the opposition’s line up.

Having a full-squad at his disposal, the coach expects to make some changes. “The ground situation is such that some players will have to be preserved. Moreover, fresh legs always do a lot of good.”

Pune FC geared up for the match by going through the paces at the JRD Hockey ground in a morning session on Friday. Players who played the USFC game went through recovery-training while the others pushed themselves harder during the session.

The coach declined to elaborate on the potential disadvantage to Pune FC who played their first game at the Keenan Stadium, given that PUSC has already played its first match at the JRD Stadium.

“The disadvantage will be to both teams. The game in my opinion will be a touch and go one. Whoever goes forward will have the advantage.”

Both Pune FC and PUSC meet for the first time in the Fed Cup and will be playing on neutral venue for the fourth time.

“As a team, we remain confident,” the coach signed off.