Sporting Clube qualified for the semi-finals after defeating United Sports Club 3-2 and Air India 4-1, which propelled them to the top of Group B with six points.
Pune FC defeated Churchill Brothers 3-0 and Vasco Sports Club 1-0 to top Group D with six points and will be looking to continue their good form against the Goan opposition.
Sporting Clube coach Oscar Bruzon watched Pune FC play against Vasco and came back to the training ground with a 12-point program for his players to follow for success as they look to unravel the chinks in their opponents armour.
“You have to be in love with the pass and the breaking move, just as a husband and wife come together to marry,” instructed Oscar during a light practice session on the eve of the big game.
Oscar has come up against Pune FC three times and remains unbeaten against The Red Lizards.
Last season in the I-League, Sporting Clube defeated Pune FC 2-0 with Victorino Fernandes and Pratesh Shirodkar scoring to end Pune’s long unbeaten run.
In the away leg, Beevan D’Mello scored with a splendid strike for The Flaming Oranje as the teams drew 1-1.
“If everybody is dancing the same dance, then we will come out on top,” remarked Oscar, addressing his players after practice.
Sporting Goa captain Boima Karpeh who has netted three goals in the competition so far will be playing against his former club, while Sporting Clube’s former captain Mathew Gonsalves is set to make an emotional return with Pune FC after leaving the Panjim outfit in the summer after nearly a decade with the Goan club.
