Thursday, November 12, 2009

Will ground play a spoilsport in Pune

Just when Mohun Bangan and Pune FC are gearing up for the Friday the 13th clash, the ground condition at the Balewadi Sports Complex might just play spoilsport.

Minutes after landing in Pune, the AIFF appointed Match commissioner, who will be on duty for the Friday’s match made a quick round to the stadium. He sounded positive, given the chance that no more shower is expected in the city, hopes match will be on schedule.

The drainage system is working fine. To decide the final fate of the match, match commissioner will make another trip to the ground on Friday (match day) morning. Should the weather will be bright and sunny tomorrow as it is today, then the ground conditions would be decent enough to constitute a match.

Both are teams are dying to practice at the Balewadi stadium to get accustomed with the pitch, but the weather has really deprived them.

Till date, Mohun Bagan had practiced only once in Pune, at the Bharati Vidyapeeth ground on Tuesday. Once they came to practice at the match venue, however, they could not due to incessant rain. They had to content with some indoor drills. Ditto with the host, Pune FC, they have been carrying out their sessions at their practice pitch.

Any delay in this round 8 match would call for a reschedule. Next meeting between these two teams will happen not before February next year.

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