Pune FC announce squad for 2012/13 season

I-League side Pune FC announced their 26 player strong squad for the 2012/13 season through their official website which they themselves have termed as an exciting mix of youth and experience though the Derrick Pereira coached team could sign some more players if the need arose.

Pune FC lost some of their prize possessions with the trio of Subrata Pal, Baldeep Singh and Lester Mark Fernandez all joining big spending Prayag United SC, while defender Rollingson Hungyo joined Shillong Lajong FC and striker Mandjou Keita has moved to Kelantan FC in Malaysia besides some other players also leaving the club.

Chirag Tanna, Head Operations Pune FC, said, "We've put together quite a competitive side, with the replacements equally competitive in the positions they fit into. Moreover with some more positions to be filled signings will take place as per requirement."

The side from Maharashtra has not brought in too many players, but have tried to sign quality with South Sudan striker James Moga the biggest signing so far. Others who have joined PFC are Nallappan Mohanraj (Mohun Bagan AC), Sukhwinder Singh (Chirag United Kerala) and Mumtaz Akhtar (United Sikkim FC).

"Abhra did extremely well for us under the bar. His signing led to the teams' impressive 11-match unbeaten run, before injury forced him out. His signing is of vital importance once he fully recovers," added Tanna.

Goalkeeper Abhra Mondal has been signed on a permanent contract from East Bengal Club after impressing while he was on loan at the club last season, while young Velington Rocha returns from Margao SC after having been part of the PFC Under-19s in the past.

The club has also drafted in two players from their under-19 team into the senior squad with defender Kamardeep Singh and midfielder Sujie Kumar making it from the Under-20 I-League winning PFC side.

Tanna explained, "As promised earlier, players showing promise will and always graduate. Both Kamardeep and Sujie earned their places and have a lot of hard work to put in."

With an aim to take off from where they left off last year, the squad will officially begin pre-season training from today, July 16 at the Shiv Chhatrapathi Sports Complex in Mhalunge-Balewadi.

"Yes we are eager and ready for the season ahead," Tanna ended by saying.


PUNE FC - 2012/13 Squad

Goalkeepers
Abhra Mondal (East Bengal Club), Shahinlal Meloly, Amrinder Singh

Defenders
Othallo Tabia, Ramu Srikanth, Anes Edathodika, Chika Wali, Caitano Costa, Kamardeep Singh (Pune FC Under-19), Nallappan Mohanraj (Mohun Bagan AC), Gurjinder Kumar Singh, John Benedick

Midfielders
Shanmugam Venkatesh, Sujie Kumar (Pune FC Under-19), Karma Tsewang, Mumtaz Akhtar (United Sikkim FC), Sukhwinder Singh (Chirag United Kerala), Maninder Singh, Dhanpal Ganeshan, Douhou Sey Djidja Pierre, Izumi Arata, Asim Hassan, Velington Rocha (Margao SC)

Forwards
James Moga (Sporting Clube de Goa), Jeje Lalpekhlua, Singam Subash Singh, Jeh Williamson


Players Released
Subrata Pal, Baldeep Singh, Lester Mark Fernandez (all Prayag United SC), Kamaljeet Kumar (Mumbai FC), Rollingson Hungyo (Shillong Lajong FC), Mandjou Keita (Kelantan FC, MALAYSIA), Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, Jayashelan Prasad, Paresh Shivalkar, Nirmal Kumar