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I-League: We'd Written To AIFF About Crowd Trouble - Pune FC Coach Derrick Pereira
Pune coach satisfied with Kolkata sojourn...
10-Mar-2010 7:35:00 PM
By Atishay Agarwal
Pune FC maintained their unbeaten record in the I-League in 2010 on Wednesday, as they held Mohun Bagan to a 0-0 draw at the Howrah Stadium. However, incidents of crowd trouble marred the game, and Pune coach Derrick Pereira confirmed that it was a concern for the team even before the game had begun. However, he leaves Kolkata satisfied with his team's performance over the two games.
Speaking to Goal.com, Pereira said, "We had written to the AIFF expressing our concern over the security and safety of the players, because we faced some issues in Salt Lake as well, and we knew that the fans are even closer to the pitch at the Howrah ground.
"A few rocks were thrown towards our players in the first half, while in the second half, a big rock was directed at Subrata, and even a chair was flung onto the pitch.
"Luckily, no object struck any player, as it can be very dangerous when you're struck by a rock on the head, or anywhere else."
This is the latest in a list of incidents involving unruly behaviour by spectators in Kolkata. Moving onto the game, Pereira was satisfied with the result, as the team's plan worked, more or less.
He added, "We planned to contain them in the first half, and we did that very well. We moved forward well too, but couldn't penetrate their defence enough, as we had 2-3 half chances.
"They attacked well down the flanks in the second half, and towards the end we faced a lot of pressure, but we dug deep and defended as a unit. They are a tough side, and are coming off a 5-1 win over Chirag, so it was never going to be easy."
Pune are on a super run in the league at the moment, winning five and drawing two of their last seven games, and go back from their first visit to Kolkata in the competition with one win and a draw.
When asked about Pune's aim for the two matches in Kolkata before they made the trip, Pereira elaborated, "Well, the aim was to collect a minimum of two points, which is two draws, but we've got four points, which is very good.
"They are top teams, so we are satisfied with the results, and it just shows that the team is working well together, and fighting for one another."
Pune's next match will be away at Air India on 14th March.
Speaking to Goal.com, Pereira said, "We had written to the AIFF expressing our concern over the security and safety of the players, because we faced some issues in Salt Lake as well, and we knew that the fans are even closer to the pitch at the Howrah ground.
"A few rocks were thrown towards our players in the first half, while in the second half, a big rock was directed at Subrata, and even a chair was flung onto the pitch.
"Luckily, no object struck any player, as it can be very dangerous when you're struck by a rock on the head, or anywhere else."
This is the latest in a list of incidents involving unruly behaviour by spectators in Kolkata. Moving onto the game, Pereira was satisfied with the result, as the team's plan worked, more or less.
He added, "We planned to contain them in the first half, and we did that very well. We moved forward well too, but couldn't penetrate their defence enough, as we had 2-3 half chances.
"They attacked well down the flanks in the second half, and towards the end we faced a lot of pressure, but we dug deep and defended as a unit. They are a tough side, and are coming off a 5-1 win over Chirag, so it was never going to be easy."
Pune are on a super run in the league at the moment, winning five and drawing two of their last seven games, and go back from their first visit to Kolkata in the competition with one win and a draw.
When asked about Pune's aim for the two matches in Kolkata before they made the trip, Pereira elaborated, "Well, the aim was to collect a minimum of two points, which is two draws, but we've got four points, which is very good.
"They are top teams, so we are satisfied with the results, and it just shows that the team is working well together, and fighting for one another."
Pune's next match will be away at Air India on 14th March.
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