Midfielder Arata Izumi to lead Pune FC in Federation Cup

Pune: Long-serving midfielder Arata Izumi will lead a 20-member Pune FC squad at the 36th edition of Federation Cup football tournament commencing in Goa on December 28.

Under Arata's leadership, Pune FC had finished runners-up in the Durand Cup held this year in Goa and it will be their seventh appearance in the country's premier knock out tournament since inception.

The India international stands in as captain as the regular skipper, defender Anas Edathodika, is out of reckoning due to an injury, the club said in a media release today.

Pune FC have been pooled in Group B with I-League champions Bengaluru FC, Kolkata's glamour outfit Mohun Bagan, Shillong Lajong and Goa's Salgaoncar SC.

Pune FC begin their campaign against north-east side Shillong Lajong on December 29 at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

"The Federation Cup is a very important tournament. Our group is definitely the toughest out of the two groups in this year?s competition. But, I have full faith in all the players in our squad and we will give our best," said Pune FC coach Karim Bencherifa.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Arup Debnath, Avilash Paul.

Defenders: Luciano Sabrosa, Matthew Gonsalves, Raju Yumnam, Zohmingliana Ralte, Salam Ranjan Singh, Munmun Timothy Lugun

Midfielders: Bineesh Balan, Arata Izumi (Capt.), Ryuji Sueoka, Velington Rocha, Dhanpal Ganesh, Nikhil Kadam, Anthony D'Souza, Mumtaz Akhtar, Lalrempuia Fanai

Forwards: Eric Brown, Thongkhosiem Haokip.