Pune look to close in on semis berth, host Goa (Preview)

FC Pune City will return to their backyard looking to boost their chances of sealing a semi-final berth when they face FC Goa in a ninth round clash of the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament here on Sunday.

FC Pune City endured poor results while travelling, losing against Kerala Blasters (0-2), Chennaiyin FC (1-2) and drawing with FC Goa (1-1). But as David Platt returns to the venue that gave him four victories in five matches, the coach will feel confident about logging full points.

They are currently third in the points table with 13 points from eight matches. Goa are leading the table with 14 points from eight matches.

Platt, though, will have plenty of loose ends to tie after picking up only a point from their last two matches. In search of becoming the first team to qualify for the knock-outs FC Pune City were first held by FC Goa away but it's the blow against Kerala Blasters that will hurt Platt for some time.

FC Goa coach Zico had negated Pune's famed attack with three centre-backs in the first leg match. Strikers like Tuncay Sanli, Yendrick Ruiz and Kalu Uche all had a quiet night in Goa and Zico is likely to continue with the same formation.

The arrival of Brazilian forward Rafael Coelho has given Zico options up front after being handicapped by injuries to strikers like Reinaldo Oliveira, Darryl Duffy, Victorino Fernandes and Joaquim Abranches. Coelho looked lively on debut and won two penalties, helping Goa win 2-0 against Chennaiyin FC.

The Brazilian legend is expected to continue with the same team and formation with doubts only over the availability of important midfielder Leo Moura, who went down under a tackle from Chennaiyin FC midfielder Harmanjot Khabra.

"The tackle was very bad. Moura is injured and I do not know if we will be able to field him," said Zico in a release on Saturday.