Resurgent East Bengal look to extend Pune FC misery

On a high after their spirited away campaign in the AFC Cup, East Bengal will look to make it two out of two when they face a struggling Pune FC in a mid-table clash of the I-League football tournament at the Vidyasagar Krirangan in Barasat on the outskirts of the city tomorrow.
Last season's runners-up East Bengal and Pune FC occupy fourth and fifth place respectively in the table and are out of the title race as their only motivation would be a top three finish.
East Bengal rallied from behind to pull off an inspiring 2-2 draw against Kitchee in Hong Kong with goals by Ranti Martins and Cavin Lobo as Dutchman coach Eelco Schattorie will be eager to build on that confidence to end his reign at the club on a high.

With the relaying of the natural turf at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Saltlake in full swing ahead of the ISL, the I-League action has been shifted to the northern outskirts as both the teams would be looking forward to play on the natural grass.
Pune FC will look to change their fortunes after suffering back-to-back losses at home and their main target would be hold Nigerian marksman Martins who's leading the goal charts with 16 goals.
East Bengal who had won in Pune 3-2 would be keen to make it two out of two and continue their surge as they have three wins and one draw from last five matches.

Pune FC will be missing services of defender and skipper Anas Edathodika who is out with a hamstring injury while Prakash Thorat and Lalrempuia Fanai are also ruled out.
The midfield of Pune FC will be boosted by the return of Dhanpal Ganesh who is back after serving his one match suspension for four yellow cards and utility man Ishfaq Ahmed who returns after a long injury lay off.
Pune FC have not scored a goal in their last three outings as they will depend heavily on strike force led by Thongkhosiem Haokip, Darko Nikac and Ryuji Sueoka to fire up front.