Played
January 5, 2013 2:00 PM IST
Paljor Stadium — Gangtok, Sikkim
Referee:‬ P. Dhar‎
 
63′ Nima Tamang
Arata Izumi 23′
 
James Moga 90+1′

United Sikkim FC - Pune FC Preview: Can Derrick Pereira's men maintain their momentum against an unsettled north eastern side?

The Red Lizards aim for their fifth consecutive win as they look to take on Nathan Hall's team at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok...

By Dhvanil Gagvani

More On :  Pune FC, United Sikkim F.C., United Sikkim F.C. vs Pune FC
Derrick Pereira, Pune FC:I-League
Anselm Noronha
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

UNITED SIKKIM FC

Ghosh;
Safar, Anwar, Farid, Das;
Mashangva, Ansari, Rodriguez, Thupden;
Salau, Nadong

PUNE FC

Abhra;
Ramu, Edathodika, Wali, Gurujinder;
Karma, Mumtaz, Douhou, Paite;
Subhash, Moga
  PREVIEW

Two teams with different league ambitions face each other in this crucial game at Gangtok. Pune FC with twenty-six points from twelve games are serious title-contenders whereas United Sikkim resting at the bottom of the table with just nine points from twelve games look to avoid relegation.

With just one defeat from their last ten games, the Red Lizards will be fairly confident going into the match. Derrick Pereira's men have been close to unbeatable and will look to consolidate their position at the top but will have to face another challenge against the Snow Lions.

On the other hand, Sikkim won last in early October against Salgoacar and will be content with a draw against the Red Lizards. Nathan Hall has made it clear that their aim is to survive relegation from the I-League and a point against the in-form Pune FC team would leave him pleased.

Given Pune's run of form, this match won't be an easy task for Derrick Pereira's side with the home fans, cold weather and the artificial pitch at Paljor stadium heavily loaded against them.

“It’s getting colder every day here in Gangtok, freezing at times. The players have taken a while to acclimatize to the conditions despite arriving 4-to-5 days in advance. For our opponents it is their home ground and they are used to the prevailing conditions,” the coach explained during his team's morning workout at the Stadium.



Pune FC won their first ever game in the north east against Shillong Lajong FC and will be ready for this challenge.

Pereira added, "We expect a good match. I am hoping to have pleasant weather with the sun out."

United Sikkim would be drawing confidence from their reverse fixture in a game in which they dominated. "Pune FC are not invincible. We have no other option but to win all our home matches if we are to survive our first season in the I-League. There is no option but to win. Yes, it is a tough task but our boys will give hundred percent in the ground", said United Sikkim manager Arunava Bhattacharya.

The last time these two teams met, it resulted in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Balewadi Stadium, Pune. This match promises to be no less entertaining.

  TEAM NEWS

United Sikkim FC: Skipper Bhaichung Bhutia will miss out due to a foot injury along with Togo midfielder DG Attivi. The rest of the team should remain the same.

Pune FC: Jeje Lalpekhlua suffered an injury in the last game. However, he has recovered and was back in training. The Red Lizards will also miss their right-back Othallo Tabia due to injury and is likely to be replaced by N. Mohanraj in the eighteen.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  • Pune FC are the only team to defeat all the Goan clubs in Goa.
  • United Sikkim have drawn 6 of their last 7 games
  • Pune FC has a goal difference of +12 whereas USFC's goal difference is -12.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • United Sikkim F.C. 0-2 Pune FC
    20 %
  • United Sikkim F.C. 1-2 Pune FC
    15 %
  • United Sikkim F.C. 3-1 Pune FC
    10 %
Head to Head
I-League ‎(IND1)‎ 05-Jan-2013 United Sikkim F.C. 1 - Pune FC 2
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  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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I-League ‎(IND1)‎ 24-Nov-2012 Pune FC 2 - United Sikkim F.C. 2
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  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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Federation Cup ‎(INDF)‎ 20-Sep-2012 Pune FC 1 - United Sikkim F.C. 0
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Last Five Matches
United Sikkim F.C.
12-May-2013United Sikkim F.C. 0 - Mohun Bagan A.C. 3IND1
08-May-2013East Bengal F.C. 6 - United Sikkim F.C. 0IND1
21-Apr-2013United Sikkim F.C. 0 - Sporting Clube de Goa 3IND1
13-Apr-2013Salgaocar F.C. 9 - United Sikkim F.C. 0IND1
27-Mar-2013United Sikkim F.C. 5 - Air India F.C. 0IND1
Pune FC
11-May-2013Pune FC 2 - Pailan Arrows F.C. 0IND1
28-Apr-2013Pune FC 4 - Air India F.C. 0IND1
24-Apr-2013Mohun Bagan A.C. 1 - Pune FC 3IND1
20-Apr-2013Air India F.C. 0 - Pune FC 6IND1
14-Apr-2013ONGC F.C. 0 - Pune FC 1IND1
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1Yoon TaeGoalkeeper
2Sandesh JhinganDefender
5Anwar AliDefender
21Abhishek DasDefender
25Munmun LugunDefender
27M. RodríguezDefender
32Safar SardarDefender
17Lineker MachadoMidfielder
10Nurudeen SalauStriker
11Nima TamangStriker
20Nadong BhutiaDefender
28Monotosh GhoshGoalkeeper
3Syed FaridDefender
18Nim Lepcha Defender
22Ashish ChettriDefender
8Zenith MashangvaMidfielder
19Sahensha AnsariMidfielder
9Budhiram TuduStriker
1Abhra MondalGoalkeeper
4Chika WaliDefender
5Gurjinder SinghDefender
15Anas EdathodikaDefender
25Srikanth RamuDefender
8Arata IzumiMidfielder
11Douhou PierreMidfielder
14Karma TsewangMidfielder
23Mumtaz AkhtarMidfielder
9James MogaStriker
12Singam Subash SinghStriker
30Amrinder SinghGoalkeeper
13Zohmingliana RalteDefender
27Nallappan MohanrajDefender
7D. NishiguchiMidfielder
17Sukhwinder SinghMidfielder
22Khanthang PaiteMidfielder
10Jeje LalpekhluaStriker
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Ranti Martins Ranti Martins
Striker
Prayag United 		27 3
Odafa Onyeka Okolie Odafa Onyeka Okolie
Striker
Mohun Bagan 		20 3
Edeh Chidi Edeh Chidi
Striker
East Bengal 		18 3
James Moga James Moga
Striker
Pune 		16 0
H. Antchouet H. Antchouet
Striker
Churchill 		14 1