I-League: Unbeaten Pune FC take on Sporting Goa

Pune FC will be eager to extend their 10-match unbeaten run when they take on Sporting Clube de Goa in a crucial I-League Round-8 encounter at the Duler Stadium here Saturday.

The only undefeated side in the ongoing season (2013-14), Pune FC's unbeaten run stretches from last season and includes nine wins and a draw.

The game will also be Pune FC's first visit to the coastal state this season which will be followed by two more trips later this month. Goa -- one of the visitors' happy-hunting grounds -- has seen Pune FC secure nine wins in fifteen I-League games over four seasons.

The visitors go into the game in good form after three consecutive home wins and are currently second in the table behind Salgaocar with 13 points from five games. However, a result with maximum points against Sporting with the correct margin will propel Pune FC to the top spot.

Headed by Spanish Coach Oscar Bruzon, Sporting - a free flowing side - have scored in each of their six league games so far and currently sit two places below Pune FC in the fourth place with 10 points.

The hosts' have added more Spanish flavour bringing in midfielder Arturo Navarro and defender Gonzalo Neila into the squad. They, along with long-serving Nigerian medio Ogba Kalu and Pratesh Shirodkar continue to drive the team.

On the other hand, the Goans will be missing services of former Pune FC striker and currently their top-scorer Boima Karpeh who picked up a late red card in their 1-3 loss to Mohammedan SC in the last game at Duler.

n previous three meetings against Sporting in Goa, Pune FC have scored two goals on each occasion. The results however, have been a mixed affair, with a win, a loss and a draw in three seasons so far.

For the visitors, midfielders Arata Izumi and Douhou Pierre have netted in the past against the Goans, while Kalu and Dawson have netted against Pune FC in Sporting colours.

In six meeting so far, Pune FC have only lost once while logging two wins and three draws against Sporting. A win on the morrow will not only strengthen their record against the hosts but also fortify their overall record in Goa.