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Federation Cup Preview: Dempo - Pune FC
Last year's finalists begin their campaign in Guwahati on Tuesday...
21-Dec-2009 11:57:34 PM
Group D action begins on Tuesday, with both games to be played at Guwahati. While the locals will be rooting for Shillong Lajong in the other fixture of the day, Dempo and Pune FC meet each other in what will be a crucial game in deciding this group.
Complacency The Biggest Threat...
Dempo have been one of the luckier big teams in terms of the draw they've received for the Federation Cup. While other big teams like Chirag, Mahindra, and Mohun Bagan find themselves in the same group, Dempo have been handed a relatively easier task, after being grouped with Pune FC, Lajong, and Air India.
Both Pune and Lajong are I-League newcomers, whereas Air India have been very poor this season. Dempo themselves have been much better in the league this year, compared to last year when they started poorly and never recovered, choosing to concentrate on Asian fixtures. Sunil Chhetri has come in and found a new lease of life after a torrid time at East Bengal.
Others like Beto and Ranti Martins have been their usual excellent selves, but their wingmen have been superb this season, with Miranda, Anthony Pereira, and even Abranches impressing a lot. They remain favourites to top the group, but games against Lajong and Pune cannot be taken lightly at all, and neither can any fixture against a team coached by Bimal Ghosh.
They Can Draw, But Can They Win?
Pune FC are more than capable of drawing football matches against the big teams in India. They've proved that over the first phase of the I-League, where they avoided defeat, and even fought on even terms against the likes of Churchill, East Bengal, and Dempo, but they're still, shockingly, without a win in the league.
They lie in 11th position in the league, but make no mistake, the Pune FC squad is a good one, capable of winning against any other Indian club on their day. When they last met Dempo in the league, Arata had given Derrick Pereira's men the lead in the 84th minute, but a late equalizer from Anthony Perira meant that the two sides had to share the spoils.
Pune's problems have been more in the final third, where they haven't been able to make the most of the chances they have created. Problems in finishing have seen them score only seven times, but a stingy defence makes up for that. They will know that they have a chance to upset the balance of the group with a draw against Dempo, after which they can go for the kill against both Lajong and Air India. Any result is possible on the day.
Form Guide
Dempo
Nov 12: Dempo 3-1 Viva Kerala
Nov 8: Churchill Brothers 3-2 Dempo
Nov 1: Pune FC 1-1 Dempo
Pune FC
Nov 13: Pune FC 1-3 Mohun Bagan
Nov 8: Pune FC 1-1 Shillong Lajong
Nov 1: Pune FC 1-1 Dempo
Team News
Dempo
Dempo have no real injury worries except Mahesh Gawli, who still hasn't recovered completely. Samir Naik is fine though, and should start at left back.
Pune FC
Caitano Costa and Chika Wali are the two big names out for Pune FC, and will miss the entire tournament. The foreign brigade of Edmar, Arata, Douhou, and Tokov will all play, and U-23 star Jeje Lalpekhlua should also feature for the side.
Player To Watch
Dempo - Anthony Pereira
Pereira has been in scintillating form in the league this season, and has been contributing regularly, with goals or assists. His performance will once again be crucial, as he tries to supply crosses to the likes of Ranti Martins and Sunil Chhetri, who will be looking to prove his worth after winning the FPAI Player of the Year award.
Pune FC - Jeje Lalpekhlua
The young lad has made a number of experts, journalists, and fellow professionals sit up and take notice during the SAFF Cup, where he exceled in leading the line. Although not the biggest size-wise, Jeje has the knack of winning the long ball, holding possession well, and distributing it effectively. Pune have missed him during the league, where he was away with the U-19s most of the time, and this might just be his time to shine for the club.
Key Areas
The key battle in the tie would be between the Pune defence and Dempo's strikers. Ranti Martins and Sunil Chhetri are a handful for any defence, and when you have Beto, Miranda, and Pereira behind them, it can be a nightmare. Having said that, the Pune defence has given a good account of itself in the league, and will be resilient. If Derrick Pereira's men can hold fort at the back, Pune could get something out of this game, although the likeliest result remains a Dempo victory.
Atishay Agarwal
Complacency The Biggest Threat...
Dempo have been one of the luckier big teams in terms of the draw they've received for the Federation Cup. While other big teams like Chirag, Mahindra, and Mohun Bagan find themselves in the same group, Dempo have been handed a relatively easier task, after being grouped with Pune FC, Lajong, and Air India.
Both Pune and Lajong are I-League newcomers, whereas Air India have been very poor this season. Dempo themselves have been much better in the league this year, compared to last year when they started poorly and never recovered, choosing to concentrate on Asian fixtures. Sunil Chhetri has come in and found a new lease of life after a torrid time at East Bengal.
Others like Beto and Ranti Martins have been their usual excellent selves, but their wingmen have been superb this season, with Miranda, Anthony Pereira, and even Abranches impressing a lot. They remain favourites to top the group, but games against Lajong and Pune cannot be taken lightly at all, and neither can any fixture against a team coached by Bimal Ghosh.
They Can Draw, But Can They Win?
Pune FC are more than capable of drawing football matches against the big teams in India. They've proved that over the first phase of the I-League, where they avoided defeat, and even fought on even terms against the likes of Churchill, East Bengal, and Dempo, but they're still, shockingly, without a win in the league.
They lie in 11th position in the league, but make no mistake, the Pune FC squad is a good one, capable of winning against any other Indian club on their day. When they last met Dempo in the league, Arata had given Derrick Pereira's men the lead in the 84th minute, but a late equalizer from Anthony Perira meant that the two sides had to share the spoils.
Pune's problems have been more in the final third, where they haven't been able to make the most of the chances they have created. Problems in finishing have seen them score only seven times, but a stingy defence makes up for that. They will know that they have a chance to upset the balance of the group with a draw against Dempo, after which they can go for the kill against both Lajong and Air India. Any result is possible on the day.
Form Guide
Dempo
Nov 12: Dempo 3-1 Viva Kerala
Nov 8: Churchill Brothers 3-2 Dempo
Nov 1: Pune FC 1-1 Dempo
Pune FC
Nov 13: Pune FC 1-3 Mohun Bagan
Nov 8: Pune FC 1-1 Shillong Lajong
Nov 1: Pune FC 1-1 Dempo
Team News
Dempo
Dempo have no real injury worries except Mahesh Gawli, who still hasn't recovered completely. Samir Naik is fine though, and should start at left back.
Pune FC
Caitano Costa and Chika Wali are the two big names out for Pune FC, and will miss the entire tournament. The foreign brigade of Edmar, Arata, Douhou, and Tokov will all play, and U-23 star Jeje Lalpekhlua should also feature for the side.
Player To Watch
Dempo - Anthony Pereira
Pereira has been in scintillating form in the league this season, and has been contributing regularly, with goals or assists. His performance will once again be crucial, as he tries to supply crosses to the likes of Ranti Martins and Sunil Chhetri, who will be looking to prove his worth after winning the FPAI Player of the Year award.
Pune FC - Jeje Lalpekhlua
The young lad has made a number of experts, journalists, and fellow professionals sit up and take notice during the SAFF Cup, where he exceled in leading the line. Although not the biggest size-wise, Jeje has the knack of winning the long ball, holding possession well, and distributing it effectively. Pune have missed him during the league, where he was away with the U-19s most of the time, and this might just be his time to shine for the club.
Key Areas
The key battle in the tie would be between the Pune defence and Dempo's strikers. Ranti Martins and Sunil Chhetri are a handful for any defence, and when you have Beto, Miranda, and Pereira behind them, it can be a nightmare. Having said that, the Pune defence has given a good account of itself in the league, and will be resilient. If Derrick Pereira's men can hold fort at the back, Pune could get something out of this game, although the likeliest result remains a Dempo victory.
Atishay Agarwal
Inside Goal.Com
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