Punjab FC, Neroca clash today

Our Sports Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 28

Punjab FC, the premier soccer outfit of North India takes on Neroca FC of Manipur at Guru Nanak Stadium here tomorrow.

Neroca are currently on the 8th position of the Hero I-League table with eight points after as many games and coming to Ludhiana after a hefty loss to Mohun Bagan while Punjab FC are on the second position with 14 points after nine games and will be looking forward to another win after a thumping victory over Gokulam Kerala FC on January 20.

Interacting with the media at the pre-match press conference today, Punjab FC head coach Yan Law said a win tomorrow would be morale booster for his squad as they would be travelling to Koltaka for the next matches against heavyweights Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. His team wanted to carry the winning form of the last match to tomorrow, against Neroca, he said.

Teah Baysah Dennis, an import from Liberia who accompanied his coach, commented that their team had a good combination of foreign and Indian players who motivated and pushed forward and supported each other on and off the pitch. He gave an insight to the team saying that off the pitch also they had fun together which kept them in a jolly mood.

He further added that even on the pitch, the whole squad liked to communicate with each other and advised each other on how to not commit mistakes.

From Neroca, head coach Gift Raikhan and Varun Thokchom attended the official pre-match press conference.

Raikhan said: “Punjab FC are a good team and are in the second position because of their playing style and my own team is highly motivated to beat them on their home ground to take all three points.”

Varun felt that the weather and playing conditions back home in Imphal and here in Ludhiana were quite similar and this could be an advantage to his side. Despite their uneven season, his team would give their all when they face Punjab FC tomorrow, he exuded confidence.

The match will kick off tomorrow at 2 pm.