I-League Preview: Dempo take on Pune FC in Round 17

Fatorda (Goa), April 17 Pune FC will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Dempo SC in an I-League Round 17 encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. The game will be an important one for either side for distinct reasons. While fourth placed Pune (20 points) will hope for a change in fortunes after a hard-fought 2-3 loss to East Bengal at home, seventh-placed Dempo (13) will look to build on their 1-0 win over Mumbai FC away from home.

Nonetheless, Pune will be keen to force a result this time around after their goalless draw against Dempo in the home leg earlier this season. At the same time, Pune will also want to make a move up the table as they take field for the fourth time in two weeks.

Furthermore, with back-to-back crucial games against defending champions Bengaluru FC and current leaders Mohun Bagan lined-up next week, Pune will be eager to shrug off the disappointment of a loss and get back to winning ways.

The clash will also be the 10th time Pune play a competitive game in the coastal state this season in all competitions and their second at Fatorda after playing four games each in Durand Cup (Raia Sports Ground) and Federation Cup (Tilak Maidan, Vasco) apart from the I-League opener (Fatorda).

Despite that, the task at hand won't be an easy one. Moreover, having earned just one win in five games after the international break in March, coach Karim Bencherifa will want his side to get a good result.

"Our result against East Bengal in the previous round makes the game against Dempo an all important one. The players also realise it. We know the game against a good Dempo side won't be an easy one," said Bencherifa.

On the team news front, Pune will be missing the services of defender Raju Yumnam, who suffered an injury in the previous game and joins Edgar Marcelino and Ishfaq Ahmed on the sidelines.

Nonetheless, Pune will be boosted by the return of key midfielder Dhanpal Ganesh. The India international is back after serving his two match suspension for a direct red card and is joined by defender Munmun Lugun as the second change in the 18-man squad.

Hosts Dempo have undergone a lot of changes since the last time Pune faced them. Coach Trevor Morgan is now in-charge, replacing Arthur Papas, and the Englishman has shuffled the squad, bringing in a lot of reserve players.

Despite logging a win in their previous game, Dempo have only been able to grab two wins in I-League. Moreover, at home the Goans have managed to clinch just one win along with two draws and losses.

Furthermore, having scored just nine goals in 12 games, Dempo have also failed to find the net in six games and will be depending heavily for their strike front of Holicharan Narzary, Alwyn George and Francis Fernandes to fire.

Whlie Tolgay Ozbey is a doubt for the game, defender Haroon Amiri is suspended for receiving four yellows. In their absence, overseas players Carlos Hernandes and Calum Angus will be key for the hosts with the likes of Lenny Rodrigues and Mandar Rao Dessai adding to the options in the midfield.

For ex-Pune defender Calum Angus, it will the first time he will be facing his old club, having missed out on the first leg due to injury. Joining him will be another ex-Pune winger Gabriel Fernandes.

Both sides have faced off 13 times with Pune boasting a better head-to-head with six wins compared to Dempo's three.