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Federation Cup: We Are Prepared - Pune FC's Derrick Pereira
Ahead of their first test in the Federation Cup, the Pune FC coach offered his thoughts...
21-Dec-2009 2:11:10 PM
Group
D comprises of all the I-League teams which implies that the level of competition
would be a few notches higher. Pune FC, who had an average I-League campaign so
far, shall hope to break away from their ‘draw specialists’ tag as they drew as
many as six games from the eight played.
Not that they didn’t play well but just that they couldn’t find the back of the net on most occasions and that has been their main area of concern. The good news for the club is that their star player Jeje Lalpekhlua is back with them.
“Jeje has been in good form and whenever he has started for us, we have done well. Most of the times in the I-League, we started with one striker in Edmar and it’s good that he will now get good support,” said Derrick Pereira.
Since Chika Wali hasn’t yet recovered from his injury, Pune FC have opted for Edmar and Douhou as the two foreign names with Arata Izumi and Sergey Tokov also being part of the foreign brigade.
“We hope Chika recovers in January. Caitano Costa is injured and is out of the Federation Cup for us. The rest are doing okay.”
Pune FC have played against all of their three opponents in the I-League and the results have been varying. While they lost to Air India, the newcomers did manage to hold Shillong Lajong and Dempo at home.
“It’s a tough group for all. We’ll also have to see the ground and weather conditions. We are prepared and are hoping to start well in the Federation Cup,” said Pereira.
However, the format of the event gives little opportunity for the teams to showcase their talent as three games in six days and just one winner from a group of four does lessen the chances of many teams.
“Obviously, the more opportunities we have, the better it is for everyone,” added the Goan coach.
Federation Cup was a forgettable affair for Derrick Pereira and his former club, Mahindra United last season as despite being one of the top sides in the tournament, they had to bow out due to an inferior goal difference and several refereeing errors played their part as always.
“When you work hard and put in a lot of effort, when such things happen, it does hurt. Everyone makes mistakes but just consistently making the same mistakes, puts you off. It’s time we find a solution to these problems,” added Derrick.
Pune FC faces Dempo in the Federation Cup opener on Tuesday.
Rahul Bali.
Not that they didn’t play well but just that they couldn’t find the back of the net on most occasions and that has been their main area of concern. The good news for the club is that their star player Jeje Lalpekhlua is back with them.
“Jeje has been in good form and whenever he has started for us, we have done well. Most of the times in the I-League, we started with one striker in Edmar and it’s good that he will now get good support,” said Derrick Pereira.
Since Chika Wali hasn’t yet recovered from his injury, Pune FC have opted for Edmar and Douhou as the two foreign names with Arata Izumi and Sergey Tokov also being part of the foreign brigade.
“We hope Chika recovers in January. Caitano Costa is injured and is out of the Federation Cup for us. The rest are doing okay.”
Pune FC have played against all of their three opponents in the I-League and the results have been varying. While they lost to Air India, the newcomers did manage to hold Shillong Lajong and Dempo at home.
“It’s a tough group for all. We’ll also have to see the ground and weather conditions. We are prepared and are hoping to start well in the Federation Cup,” said Pereira.
However, the format of the event gives little opportunity for the teams to showcase their talent as three games in six days and just one winner from a group of four does lessen the chances of many teams.
“Obviously, the more opportunities we have, the better it is for everyone,” added the Goan coach.
Federation Cup was a forgettable affair for Derrick Pereira and his former club, Mahindra United last season as despite being one of the top sides in the tournament, they had to bow out due to an inferior goal difference and several refereeing errors played their part as always.
“When you work hard and put in a lot of effort, when such things happen, it does hurt. Everyone makes mistakes but just consistently making the same mistakes, puts you off. It’s time we find a solution to these problems,” added Derrick.
Pune FC faces Dempo in the Federation Cup opener on Tuesday.
Rahul Bali.
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