Shillong: Pune FC will be eager to get back to winning ways when they take on Rangdajied United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Wednesday.
The I-League round-14 encounter also marks the beginning of the second phase of the league and will be the first stop in the tough three-game away programme for Pune FC.
Keen to shrug off their Maharashtra derby disappointment, Pune FC would like to better their away record this season with a second win on road while also maintaining their clean slate against Rangdajied.
A win will be important for Pune FC (3rd, 19pts) as it will be the first in five games since the international break in November and would propel them back into the second place in the standings.
Back when both sides met in October in Pune, a Calum Angus goal gave Pune FC all three points. Since then, there haven't been significant changes in their respective table positions.
However, Rangdajied (12th, 8pts) have picked up their first win beating Mohun Bagan in the meantime and have moved up a place from the bottom of the table.
On the other hand, Pune FC too have had a disappointing run of results picking up just six points in the last six games, almost similar to Rangdajied's run, and dropping a place down to third.
Post their loss to Pune FC, Santosh Kashyap-led Rangdajied have swept off their scoring blues netting in each of their last five games since. The return to fitness of certain key players and addition of some quality and experienced players has played a role in hosts' recent upswing.
Rangdajied have been difficult to beat here, having only lost twice in six matches so far, they are the only team in the league yet to register a win at home.
