Viva Kerala take on Pune FC on the 21st of April at Pune. Three points divide the two teams. But Pune seem to be comfortably placed for a safe mid-table finish and Viva will need to consolidate their position in mid-table as the teams ranked lower than them in the I-League table have done well in the last couple of rounds.
The last time the two teams played, Viva Kerala was completely outplayed by their counterparts and were thrashed 3-0.
Form Guide
Last five completed matches during the current season (2009-10) excluding friendlies/practice matches and most recent results first
Viva Kerala – LDDWD
Seven games on the trot being unbeaten resulted in complacency. Neelapada had a rude reality check when the Punjabi Mundas whipped the Kerala team 5-1 in their last encounter. Also, the ugly loss to Pune in their previous encounter will be fresh in their minds.
Pune FC – DDWLL
Pune FC has 5 points from the last 3 matches and they are trying to shrug off two nasty defeats to Shillong and Air India prior to their last three matches. Playing at home definitely gives them the advantage.
Team News
Viva Kerala
The team presented Sreedharan with a rude gift once he was back from his daughter’s wedding. The coach definitely could not digest the 5-1 loss to the Punjabis.
Another 40^(o)+ welcomes the Kerala team at Pune. The match in Punjab had half the team hospitalized due to fatigue and loss of fluids. Luckily they have had ample time to recover for the match in Pune.
Defender Charles Dzisah had a nightmare of a game against Punjab as he was more or less at fault for all the goals. K Sharat and Bello Rasaq looked helpless when the usually intense Charles had a horror run of form.
Defenders Noushad and Marshook are injured and have not traveled with the team to Pune. Flawless Amarwant is likely to retain his place unless the coach makes another freak decision to play Anish who is back from suspension in the right back position.
Patrick Sisupalan and captain Sakeer will have a tough game with the Pune midfielders trying to outrun the Viva midfield. Playing the effective P Rahul instead of T Karma is an option that the coach will be contemplating on.
While Rueben ‘Heskey’ Senyo scored in the injury time in the last match, the Viva fans will be looking up to midfielder Siraj and striker Sabeeth for the goals.
With the axe of relegation floating above their head, the players will need to pick themselves up in the upcoming match.
Probable XI (4-4-2): K Sharat – Amarwant Singh, Bello Rasaq, Charles Dzisah, VV Surjit – T Karma, Raman Patrick Sisupalan, MP Sakeer, C Sirajudeen – CS Sabeeth, Rueben Senyo.
Pune FC
Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira will be glad to welcome back Asim Hassan and Caitano Costa after a one-match suspension. Former Indian international and Pune captain Venkatesh will miss out again due to an injury along with Keralite Anees Kutty.
The Pune defence will be manned by former Indian international Selwyn Fernandes, Nigerian import Wali Chikka and Costa. Keralite defender Othallo Tabia and Indian U19 international F Lalrozama is likely to be left on the bench. The last line of the Pune defence will be India’s spiderman Subrata Paul between the posts.
They have a strong midfield with Ivorian Djidjia, PIO Arata, Uzbeki Sergey Tokov, former India junior international Godwin Franco and Asim Hassan. Former Indian international Sampathkumar Kuttimani will be warming the bench once again.
The strike force looks above average with India starlet Jeje partnering the lackluster but effective Edmar.
Probable XI (3-5-2): Subrata Paul – Wali Chikka, Selwyn Fernandes, Caitano Costa – Djidjia Pierre, Arata Izumi, Sergey Tokov, Asim Hassan, Godwin Franco – Jeje Lalpekhlua, Edmar Figueira.
Players to Watch
Patrick Sisupalan (Viva Kerala) – Defensive midfielder will have a long match full of action with the strong Pune FC midfield poaching the Viva D on every possible chance. In the absence of the Pune captain Venkatesh, Patrick will try to cut the flow of supply from the midfield to the attack line.
Arata Izumi (Pune FC) – The Japanese born PIO will be the man to watch. Last time the two teams played in Kerala, Irata ran through the Viva defensive shield to help his team score a brilliant win over Viva Kerala.
Key Matchups
Bello Rasaq vs. Edmar Figueira
C Sirajudeen vs. Arata Izumi
MP Sakeer vs. Djidjia Pierre
CS Sabeeth vs. Wali Chikka
Jason Morais writes for footballkerala.com
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Wednesday 21 April 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.
Comments · 1
reuben, siraj and sakker have to play well today. illenkil sheriyavilla ....