Mumbai, Sep 27 (IANS) Former England footballer and FC Pune City head coach David Platt has said the team’s first match, a derby clash against Mumbai City FC, will be tough.
Pune face Mumbai at home on October 5, two days after the tournaments starts.
“First game is always tough and when it’s a derby against Mumbai, it will be a difficult game. But we have prepared well and ready for the challenge,” Platt told reporters here on Saturday.
The team travelled to Turkey for the pre-season and the coach said the time out of the country was a much needed one for the squad.
“We worked hard in the pre-season. Facilities were excellent. It was physically good. Both the international and domestic players have worked hard for the upcoming season. And now it’s time for the boys to deliver on the field. The domestic players specially must step up and prove themselves in front of their home crowd,” he said.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh, one of the rising stars of Indian football, was earlier bought by Pune in the players auction.
Speaking about the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with the top international players, the 29-year-old said, “I am delighted to be here in ISL. To play alongside top international stars in the side will be an added advantage. We had an amazing pre-season. We are now working on to get our fitness better and also tactics well.”
Former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu who will play as a forward for the club said scoring goals will be high top priority.
“I hope I can score as many goals as possible that will be my top priority. The pre-season has been great and I hope all the guys in the team will deliver when it’s needed. I hope I can help team win the ISL,” Mutu said.