Salgaocar face Pune FC in I-League opener

Margao: Salgaocar FC will be looking to kickstart their I-League campaign on a rousing note when they lock horns against Pune FC in the inaugural match of the Hero I-League on Saturday at Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

Salgaocar FC are in imperious form this season and won the Durand Cup and Goa's Pro-League besides putting up a good performance in the Federation Cup, where they lost to Dempo FC in the semi-finals.

Salgaocar FC will now look to carry forward the momentum in the I-League.

The two teams have met each other in the Durand Cup and Federation Cup where Salgaocar returned victorious in both occasions and come tomorrow they will looking to keep their winning momentum intact.

Striker Darryl Duffy and Dawson Fernandes are still not fully fit and will not play tomorrow's match.

Coach Derrick Pereira is looking to give couple of U-23 players a chance tomorrow and one of them is Brian Mascarenhas.

"Pune FC is a good side and tomorrow's match will be fought evenly. We had a tough time in beating them on both the occasion we have played against them in the past in the Durand Cup and the Federation Cup. It's going to be a close game and I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully we will get a positive result infront of the home crowd," Pereira said.

Salgaocar's ability to hit switly on counter attacks will be a vital piece of their gameplan tomorrow.

Douhou Pierre and Gurjinder Kumar have been in scintillating form and Pierre, whose creative game in the midfield and his superior physical capabilities, have caught the opposition defenders offguard.

Just like Salgaoar, Pune FC too has put up a good performance in the Federation Cup. Ryuji Sueoka will play the key role in the visitors attack along with Nikhil Kadam, Anthony D'Souza and Dhanpal Ganesh.

Eric Brown and Thongkhosiem Haokip will have to ensure that they don't miss chances if they are to come out victorious tomorrow.

The tactical battle between two master strategists Karim Bencherifa and Pereira will be a treat to watch out for.