AFC Cup Preview: Pune FC vs Kitchee SC
Venue: Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune
Kickoff: Tuesday, April 22 2014, 17:00 IST
Aiming to end on a high
Photo Credit: Pune FC
Pune’s debut AFC Cup campaign ends with this home fixture as they are already out of contention for a knockout berth with just three points from five matches. Despite some good attacking displays and comebacks, Pune’s lack of experience at the continental level has been exposed as they have conceded 15 goals. They have also dropped points or lost games from winning positions and their poor domestic form has further affected their self-confidence. Pune continue to make progress off the field but won’t qualify for next year’s AFC Cup via their league placing so the whole squad would be aiming to end this year’s campaign on a high.
The Red Lizards produced their best performance of the AFC Cup against group favourites Kitchee in Hong Kong on matchday two as they came back from two goals down to earn a point. At that point, Pune looked a contender for the round of 16 but Mike Snoei’s side have disappointed their fans by picking up just one point from their next three fixtures despite leading at some point in each of the matches. Some supporters have questioned Snoei’s tactics and man-management skills in terms of motivating the players as they have won just one out of 18 games in all competitions in 2014. But let’s not forget that Pune’s young and inexperienced squad were always going to find it difficult in their first-ever AFC Cup appearance. Being underdogs in this clash, there won’t be any pressure on them so Snoei would be looking to bring out a respectable display.
Group winners
It finished 2-2 when the sides met in Hong Kong back in March
Photo Credit: Pune FC
By contrast Kitchee are having an incredible season as they have already clinched the Hong Kong First Division title and are on course for a domestic double as they are also in the Hong Kong FA Cup semi-finals. Kitchee regained the title with three games to spare and are aiming to become the first club to go an entire Hong Kong top flight campaign unbeaten since 1985-86. The trophy presentation was done last week after their 1-1 draw with South China but coach Chu Chi-Kwong has called on the players to remain focused as they have important games coming up in the domestic cup and the AFC Cup where they have already booked their place in the round of 16 as group winners with 13 points from five games.
Kitchee lived up to the expectations of being Group H favourites with a near flawless group stage. The only blip came in the clash against Pune on matchday two as they got complacent while leading 2-0 at home and allowed the I-League side to come back into the contest. Kitchee made up for it by notching up three straight wins but given their consistency this season, the squad will surely be determined to beat Pune this time around although it’s an inconsequential match. The priority will be to come away from Pune without any major injuries but Kitchee would be looking to continue their winning habit and head into the weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Rangers with even more confidence.
Form Guide
Pune FC: LLDLL
Pune lost to East Bengal home and away last week and are in danger of finishing outside the I-League top five for the first time ever. They have lost six of their last eight games but have suffered a hattrick of losses only once before this season. The Indian club are the second highest scorers in the group though with ten goals.
Kitchee SC: WWWWD
Kitchee have won 19 of their 23 fixtures in the Hong Kong domestic league and AFC Cup but have been held to a draw over 90 minutes in their last two games with South China being the opponents on both occasions. They have happy memories of visiting Pune as they won 4-0 there last year against Churchill Brothers.
Team News
Pune FC
Pune will be missing midfielders Gabriel Fernandes and Douhou Pierre due to injury while English central defender Calum Angus is suspended. Australian striker Mirjan Pavlovic could start with stand-in skipper Riga Mustapha expected to get his preferred playmaker role.
Possible XI: Amrinder Singh; Zohmingliana Ralte, Anas Edathodika, Salam Ranjan Singh, Gurjinder Kumar; Prakash Thorat, Mumtaz Akhtar, Arata Izumi, Anthony D’Souza; Riga Mustapha; Mirjan Pavlovic
Kitchee SC
Kitchee have travelled to India with just 15 players and notably versatile Spanish player Fernando Recio hasn’t made the trip. Jordi Tarres is available after missing out the home clash against Pune but coach Chu Chi-Kwong will surely have one eye on Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Rangers.
Possible XI: Wang Zhenpeng; Tsang Kam To, Tsang Chi Hau, Kyung-Jin Jang, Cheung Kin Fung; Lam Ka Wai, Chan Man Fai, Lo Kwan Yee; Xu Deshuai, Juan Belencoso, Jordi Tarres
Key Men
Pune FC – Riga Mustapha
Riga Mustapha (no.7)
The former Bolton player has been in good form despite Pune’s struggles in 2014 and will have to take extra responsibility in the absence of Douhou. Mutsapha will also relish playing in his favourite position behind the lone striker.
Kitchee SC – Juan Belencoso
Juan Belencoso (no.9)
The Spaniard has scored in every matchday and is the competition’s current top scorer with eight goals in five games. Despite scoring against Pune on matchday two, Belencoso was very wasteful in that match and thus will be aiming for an improved display this time.