Pune FC hope to continue winning ways

Pune: Fresh from their first home win last week, Pune FC would like to continue their winning ways when

they take on Indian Arrows in a 13th round I-League match at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi on Saturday. The home side, however, is cautious as the AIFF outfit, too, is high on confidence after recording their first away win, against Viva Kerala in Kannur. Desmond Bulpin`s squad comprises of players who are part of India`s under-23 Olympic team and are in the final stages of preparations ahead of their pre-Olympic qualifier to be held later this month. Local coach Derrick Pereira said, "They (Indian Arrows) are a young team, very energetic and fitter than other teams. The team is more or less modelled around the senior India side so that`s the only idea we have about the team." The home side currently occupies the tenth position with 11 points, while Indian Arrows are two rungs higher in eighth place with 13 points. A win for either will mean moving into the top-half of the league standings, but for that, Pune FC will need to put all their experience to good effect. With both teams achieving victories in their previous games, both will also be hoping to extend their respective runs. For Pune FC, the 4-0 win over JCT in the previous round ended a six-match winless run. On the other hand, Indian Arrows ended a five-match losing run in away games. "The win (against JCT) was needed to boost the team, but we need to work harder than before, stay focused if we are to make the best out of the result we had in the previous match," Pereira said. For Pune FC, defender Selwyn Fernandes returns to the side after serving a one-match suspension, while the midfield gets back K Ajayan, who missed the last match due to personal reasons. "I don`t like to disturb winning combinations and will stick to the same combinations that played before. The good thing is that all are fit, and options are aplenty," added Pereira. PTI