MATCH PREVIEW: Pune out to prove 1st win wasn't a fluke, NEU that they matter this season
AFTER LOSING THE first match of their ISL campaign by 3-1, NorthEast United will travel to Pune to face a reinvigorated Pune City side who have won their first match by the same margin.
The Hritik Roshan co-owned franchise saw its second season start off in style with a 3-1 victory over Mumbai City despite missing four important players due to their inclusion in the Indian national team, as well as not being able to start their marquee player Adrian Mutu due to injury.
NorthEast United played without their marquee as well, as Simao Sabrosa's injury has ruled him out for the first two matches of their campaign, which means he will not play against Pune City either. Additionally, they might miss the services of experienced central defender Miguel Garcia, who sustained the injury early in the game and
The Highlanders, who finished at the bottom in last year's ISL, are betting on manager Cesar Farias to turn the franchise's poor record around and take them into the semi-finals. But things fell apart quickly for them in their opening match against Kerala Blasters as two long throws from Rahul Bheke gave the home side a two-goal lead that NEUFC were unable to recover from. After the match, Farias shielded the players and took full responsibility for the poor performance:
“I would like to take full responsibility for the loss. Two goals that we conceded today came from throw ins. We have practiced defending such situations on the training ground countless number of times. But when it does not translate onto the pitch during the match, I repeat, I take full responsibility for the same.”
For Pune City, on the other hand, joy came in the form of Israil Gurung's lethal runs up the right flank as he fed Tuncay Sanli twice, getting them ahead both times before sealing the deal with a goal of his own.
NEUFC will need to pay special attention to the left side of their defence to stop Israil Gurung from running freely. It might make sense to bring Yumnam Raju, the 26 year old Pune FC left back who has played on the Balewadi Stadium for a long time, into the starting line-up to replace Miguel Garcia. Reagan Singh can move to central defence. This will also open up an extra slot for a foreigner in the midfield, where Kondwani Mtonga, who played all 14 matches for NEUFC last season, can easily come in, replacing Siam Hanghal.
For Pune City coach David Platt, there is much to be happy about how his team played in the first game. Apart from Israil Gurung's heroics, his other forwards are doing well too. Tuncay Sanli got two goals. Adrian Mutu came on later and got an assist. Mutu will probably start against NEUFC, replacing defender Nicky Shorey who was filling in on the left wing.
What they will look to do is to hold down Silas, the NEUFC medio who created a few dangerous situations at Kochi and set up Nicolas Velez for the solitary goal they scored against KBFC.
Pune City are definitely starting the game as favourites and this game represents to them a chance to prove that their conquering of Mumbai City was not a fluke. For NorthEast United, it's a struggle against the tide to prove they are worth a damn this season. A point or three from their difficult away games would put them in the right mindset before they finally return to Guwahati to take on FC Goa in their first home game of the season next Thursday.
Probable Starting Line-ups:
Pune City - Steve Simonsen (GK), Gurjinder Kumar, Diego Colotto, Gourmangi Singh, Lenny Rodrigues, Manish Maithani, Didier Zokora, James Bailey, Adrian Mutu, Tuncay Sanli, Israil Gurung
NorthEast United - Rehenesh TP (GK), Yumnam Raju, Reagan Singh, Cedric Hengbart, Seityasen Singh, Bruno, Kondwani Mtonga, Silas, Nicolas Velez, Diomansy Kamara, Boithang Haokip
