Bharat FC and Pune FC renew their rivalry as they clash each other in an I-League football derby match here tomorrow.
The first ever Pune derby played on April 4 saw both teams end all square after a thrilling 90 minutes.
Pune FC are currently fifth in the I-League standings with 23 points from 16 games. Bharat FC are at 10th place with 15 points from 16 games.
Pune FC Assistant Coach Gift Raikhan said that he did not really see an advantage in playing home or away. The Round 11 rescheduled fixture will be played at Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi.
"This is professional football and we have to perform well wherever we play. We respect our opponents Bharat FC. They are a good side and also have a good coach. We have analyzed them and have worked accordingly. We do not want to rush things and we are taking it one game at a time. I am confident of my squad's ability even though we are missing a few players through injury and suspension," he said.
Bharat FC head coach Stuart Watkiss said that he was buoyed by the performance his side against Mohun Bagan but sounded a note of caution, asking his side to guard against complacency.
"We had a great result on Tuesday but we cannot afford to sit back and take things easy. There is no room for a slip-up. I am confident that my side has the quality to get three points if we play to our maximum on Sunday. However, if we do not do that, then Pune FC are very capable of hurting us," he said.
New Zealand international striker Kris Bright is still recovering from a hamstring injury that has seen him sit out the last three games. Gouramangi Singh and Arindam Bhattacharya also picked up niggles in the last match and will undergo fitness tests tomorrow morning.
