Pune FC gear up for neighbours Mumbai

PUNE: Pride and points will be at stake as hosts Pune FC take on Mumbai FC in an I-League encounter at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mhalunge-Balewadi' on Sunday. A cracker of a contest is on the cards as the two teams from Maharashtra have set their sights on a top five finish.
"We need to win this match to remain in contention for fifth place," said Mumbai FC manager Henry Picardo.The two teams have met each other four times in the I-League and Mumbai hold a 2-0 edge over their neighbours. The last time the two teams came face-to-face Pune FC were handed a 0-2 loss Mumbai FC at Kolhapur in the first-leg of the League. Mumbai' who currently have 32 points from 23 encounters and are placed fifth, will miss the services of midfielder Dane Pereira (two yellow cards) on Sunday. Picardo hinted that Salim Usman might step into Pereira's shoes.
Both teams go into the game smarting from losses identical 1-2 loss in their previous rounds respectively, and is reason enough for both to hit the ground running and get back to winning ways. Pune coach Derrick Pereira termed the loss against JCT in round 24 as a "set-back" but in the same vein added, "It is the past. We have three matches to go in the league and remain as committed as before."
Pune FC, who are seventh in the table with 29 points, will miss two of their key players – central defender Selwyn Fernandes and midfielder Izumi Arata – both face one-match suspension due to double booking.
While Caitano Costa is the likely replacement in the defence, Arata's absence from the midfield is bound to create a few problems for the coach. Pereira will have to choose between J. Prasad, Ajayan Nair or the young Velito Cruz, since Asim Hassan too has been ruled out for the season with an ankle injury.
SCG qualify:
Sporting Clube de Goa became the second team to qualify for first division I-League after Lajong FC with a 2-0 win over local side Royal Wahingdoh in the final round of the second division competition.