Shillong: Pune FC will face Shillong Lajong FC in a round 2 encounter of the I-League 2013-14 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.
In more ways than one, the game is expected to be an high-voltage event. Passionate fans, a victory over fancied Dempo and playing at home for the first time is the perfect setting for the hosts.
Pune FC, on their part, have checked in early with acclimatisation as an obvious reason and will be hoping for an encore when they beat Shillong Lajong last season to break their northeast jinx.
Pune FC (3 points) is currently in second place on the I-League table owing to goal difference.
Both sides, since last season, have made changes to their respective sides.
Upfront Shillong sports a new look. Trinidad and Tobago international and World Cupper Cornel Glenn, who scored a brace against Dempo, leads the line, supported by hard-working Brazilian Uilliams Souza, while former Pune FC striker Subash Singh completes the line-up.
Other new players for Shillong are ex-Salgaocar GK Vinay Singh in goal, ex-ONGC defender Robin Gurung (who partners experienced Wailadmi Passah at the back), and also ex-Pailan Arrows midfielder Milan Singh.
Pune FC themselves have worked on their squad with the emphasis on youth apart from carefully choosing their foreign player quota.
Ahead of the game Pune FC has one worry - the unavailability of striker Raul Fabiani. The Equatorial Guinea striker serves a one-match suspension. Fabiani played a major role in the game against Mohammedan Sporting scoring twice and assisting once.
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