Pune City target win against FC Goa to seal top-four spot
PUNE: FC Pune City will look to seal a play-off berth when they take on a stuttering FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex here on Sunday.
Pune have won nine matches out of 16 so far and are placed in the second spot, below table-toppers Bengaluru FC with 29 points and a win or a draw will cement their position in the play-offs.
Goa, on the other hand, are placed in the seventh spot with 21 points and if they are able to beat Pune at the latter’s home, they will jump to 24 points and remain in the hunt for the last four.
Pune had outclassed Jamshedpur FC (2-1) and blanked ATK (3-0) here but the hosts lost their last game at home against Kerala Blasters and they will be keen to erase the bad memories and come hard when they take on their Goan opponents.
Pune have fired on all cylinders this season. Their star striker Marcelinho has been in scintillating form and he would look to continue his role in the team.
JAMSHEDPUR EYE WIN
BHUBANESWAR : Jamshedpur FC have a chance to take a giant leap when they take on league leaders Bengaluru FC at the Kalinga Stadium here on Sunday.
With just two games left for them to play, a win over Bengaluru may not lock a spot for Jamshedpur FC in the playoffs, but it will give them some respite approaching the final game and put pressure on the chasing pack of Kerala Blasters and FC Goa, both of whom will be keeping a keen eye on game.
Even though recognising the importance of the game at hand, Jamshedpur head coach Steve Coppell, however, feels it’s not a do-or-die situation for his team.
“We have been in that situation for the last five games where people have said it is (over), and we have done fairly well in such situations. So, we are looking forward to the game and relishing the challenge,” he said at the prematch press conference.
PUNE HAVE WON NINE MATCHES OUT OF 16 SO FAR AND ARE PLACED IN THE SECOND SPOT BELOW TABLE TOPPERS BENGALURU FC.