Pune FC look to extend dominance over Salgaocar

Fatorda (Margao) - Pune FC will look forward to extend their stranglehold over Salgaocar FC in the I-League on their happy hunting ground at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Sunday.

Having maintained a perfect all-win record – 3 wins from as many visits – over the hosts, Pune FC will also hope to take heart from the win over Sporting Clube de Goa the last time around.

With the Goans currently going though an agonising transition process, the round-10 game also gives Pune FC a chance to complete a hat-trick of away wins.

Pune FC Coach Derrick Pereira explains, “Salgaocar, as I see, is going through a lot of changes presently. Their midfield is good as always and defense is robust.”

Salgaocar, this season, had Karim Bencherifa resign soon after not picking up a win in their first two league games. Since then, the hosts picked up four points from the two games under assistant coach Peter Vales, but have so far managed a solitary point ever since Englishman David Booth took charge.

While the changes have had telling effects in Salgaocar’s performance, Pune FC need to also be wary of a possible backlash from the former League and Fed Cup champions, who will be eager to fight away from the relegation zone.

Victory would help Pune FC consolidate their position in the top-4 and close the gap on the top-3 in the standings.