![\"Preview-pune-fc-mumbai-fc\"](\"https:\/\/indiansportsnews.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Preview-pune-fc-mumbai-fc.jpg\")
Kolkata: Pune FC face a do-or-die situation against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa S.A.D. in the 117th IFA Shield at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Thursday<\/p>\nKolkata: Pune FC face a do-or-die situation against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa S.A.D. in the 117th IFA Shield at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Thursday<\/p>\n
An opening round loss to Mohun Bagan (0-3) has left Pune FC in a situation where winning is important and anything less could mean curtains.<\/p>\n
While the task of playing a team from a top-ranked country, where football is a culture, and the fact that the team are placed mid-table makes the task huge, Pune FC simply know what to expect.<\/p>\n
The 17-man squad that Pune FC faces on the morrow comprises of mainly their second team that plays in the Costa Rican second division. Some players, in fact, have also played for junior Costa Rican National teams.<\/p>\n
Additionally three ex-Costa Rican National and Saprissa players; Walter Centeno, Alonso Solis, and Fausto Gonzalez are expected to join the squad. However, it is unsure whether they will be fielded against Pune FC.<\/p>\n
Pune FC Coach Derrick Perreira observes, \u201cThey are a young side, have good technique, move the ball well, which they predominantly gain owing to the sport being number one in their country.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Coach makes his assessment having observed them in practice at the East Bengal ground while waiting for their turn.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be a good experience for our players to learn and put up a good show.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mix of youth and experience Saprissa brings makes Coach remind, \u201cWe need to match their skills and above all keep our discipline.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the loss to Bagan was unexpected, Coach added, \u201cIndividual mistakes cost us on the field. I however expect a better performance excuses apart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pune FC expects to make changes to the squad, and will be hoping for Pune FC\u2019s luck against foreign teams to stand good. Against Senagal\u2019s AS Dounaes, Pune FC had won 2-0 in three years back and will be hoping for a repeat this time around.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kolkata: Pune FC face a do-or-die situation against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa S.A.D. in the 117th IFA Shield at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Thursday<\/p>\n
An opening round loss to Mohun Bagan (0-3) has left Pune FC in a situation where winning is important and anything less could mean curtains.<\/p>\n
While the task of playing a team from a top-ranked country, where football is a culture, and the fact that the team are placed mid-table makes the task huge, Pune FC simply know what to expect.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-latest"],"yoast_head":"\n