Thimpu, Nov 19 (IANS) Pune FC will be eager to maintain the winning momentum when they take on local side Ugyen Academy FC in a second round Group-B encounter in the King’s Cup at the Changlimithang Stadium here Thursday.
Pune FC go into the game having registered a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), Nepal, Tuesday in the opening match to register the club’s first ever overseas win.
However, Pune’s opponents are also on a high, having beaten Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited 1-0 Tuesday.
Pune coach Karim Bencherifa expects a similar performance from Ugyen against them and wants to be cautious against the young group of players.
“It is good to begin with a win, but we should not get carried away. Ugyen is one of the best Bhutan teams in the competition. They are a young energetic bunch of players who have good coordination between them and we have to be ready,” Bencherifa said Wednesday.
“We do have minor injuries to deal with, but we will put out a strong eleven. We are confident and will go for three points against Ugyen.”
Pune FC will be without the services of injured Luciano Sabrosa and the sick Velington Rocha. Striker Thongkhosiem Haokip, who was stretchered out in the previous game, is fit and will give Bencherifa another option upfront.