Under-18 I-League: Last year's runners up Pune FC to face PIFA Colaba in the opener

Pune FC Under-18s – comprising of players from the Peninsula Pune Football Club Academy (PPFCA) – have been clubbed in the Maharashtra Zone and will be up against five other teams in a revised tournament format. This year onwards, the competition will be played at the Under-18 level after couple of seasons at the Under-19 level.

The five other teams include Mumbai FC, Kenkre FC, Sports Authority of India (SAI) – Maharashtra Division and DSK Shivajians FC apart from PIFA Colaba. SAI is the newest entrant in the zonal rounds which will be played on a home-and-away basis with top-two teams qualifying for the final round.

Speaking ahead of the competition, Pune FC Under-19 Coach Naushad Moosa said, “We have been working since August towards this competition. Having played a few tournaments, we know our strength and weaknesses and have focussed our attention on those in the past few weeks. The boys are excited and motivated ahead of their first game.”

Two-time former champions Pune FC (2011-12 & 2012-13) will be confident of their chances having won the zonal phase and finished runners up in the final phase in Pune during the previous edition (2014-15). However, having narrowly missing out on the title to AIFF Elite Academy, Pune FC will be eager to improve their performance.

“We put up a great performance last season but just fell short of being the champions. We have learnt from that experience. The team is in good shape and we hope to give an even better performance this year,” added Coach Moosa.

For Pune FC, the biggest clashes in the group stage will undoubtedly be the ones against arch rivals and local side DSK Shivajians. In the 2014-15 season, Pune FC topped the zonal phase in dramatic fashion piping Shivajians on goal difference in the last round. This year Pune FC will host Shivajians on 2nd November (Mamurdi) and play the away game on 6th December (Loni).

Pune FC Schedule

18/10/2015 – PIFA Colaba FC vs. Pune FC at All Saints School, Bhiwandi

24/10/2015 – Pune FC vs. Kenkre FC at Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi

02/11/2015 – Pune FC vs. DSK Shivajians FC at Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi

09/11/2015 – SAI vs. Pune FC (Venue: TBA)

15/11/2015 – Mumbai FC vs. Pune FC at Cooperage Ground, Mumbai

21/11/2015 – Pune FC vs. PIFA Colaba FC at Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi

28/11/2015 – Kenkre FC vs. Pune FC at Cooperage Ground, Mumbai

06/12/2015 – DSK Shivajians FC vs. Pune FC at DSK Football Field, Loni

13/12/2015 – Pune FC vs. SAI at Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi

21/12/2015 – Pune FC vs. Mumbai FC at Pune FC Training Pitches, Mamurdi