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Pune’s DSK Shivajians Football Club begins their 2016-17 season by making their debut in the historic 128th Durand Cup Football Tournament, being held in New Delhi from August 28 to September 11, 2016.
DSK Shivajians FC will be the second team from the city to ever participate in third oldest football tournament in the world and the oldest football tournament in India, tracing its first edition back to 1888. This year’s edition makes a comeback after a one-year of hiatus and will be played at two venues, the Ambedkar Stadium and Harbaksh Stadium, in New Delhi. The team will reach Delhi following their pre-season friendly against Bengaluru FC at the KSFA Stadium in Bengaluru.
The teams, led by new First Team Manager, Dave Rogers go into the tournament after a strenuous three-week pre-season which commenced in the first week of August 2016. Juan Quero returned to DSK Shivajians FC after impressive performances in the club’s debut I-League season. Irish youth international midfielder Shane McFaul also joined the ranks at the club midway through August.
Sticking to his philosophy of promoting youth, Dave Rogers also provided opportunities to eleven players from the Liverpool FC International Academy – DSK Shivajians to be a part of the 20-member first team squad.
The Pune-based club will face Sporting Club de Goa in the opening match of the tournament on 28th August, 2016. The tournament, which will conclude on 11th September 2016, will see twelve teams, divided into two groups of six, vie for the top honors. Top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
The teams in fray include, six first timers, namely, Aizawl FC; NEROCA FC; Gangtok Himalayan SC; Minerva Academy FC and LoneStar Kashmir FC apart from DSFC; seasoned campaigners, Sporting Clube De Goa and Dempo SC. Four teams from the Indian armed forces namely Army Green, Army Red, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy complete the lineup.
DSK Shivajians FC is placed in Group A along with the likes of Gangtok Himalayan SC, Army Green, Indian Navy, Sporting Clube de Goa, and Minerva Academy FC. Group B comprises of last year’s I-League side Aizawl FC, Dempo SC, LoneStar Kashmir FC, NEROCA FC along with Indian Air Force and Army Red.
DSK SHIVAJIANS FC
Goalkeepers
Rakshit Dagar, Sayak Barai
Defenders
Zohmingliana Ralte, Maan Singh, Mohammed Sajid Dhot, Sairuatkima, Lalnunsiama
Midfielders
Biaklian Paite, Ameya Ranawade, Shane McFaul, Gagandeep Singh, Vanlalremkima, Surchandra Singh Chandam, Hitova Ayemi, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Rohit Kumar
Forwards
Arif Shaikh, Juan Quero, Kim Song Yong, Lalawmpuia
Officials
Dave Rogers (First Team Manager), Barry Knowles (Assistant Manager), Kaizad Ambapardiwalla (First Team Coach), John Andrews (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Ravi Sarkar (Physiotherapist), Parwez Desai (Analyst), Ajay Atole (Ball Boy)
FIXTURES
28 Aug: vs Sporting Clube de Goa – 6.30pm – Ambedkar Stadium
31 Aug: vs Gangtok Himalayan SC – 4.30pm – Ambedkar Stadium
2 Sept: vs Indian Navy – 4.30pm – Ambedkar Stadium
4 Sept: vs Minerva Academy FC – 4.30pm – Ambedkar Stadium
5 Sept: vs Army Green – 4.00pm – Harbaksh Stadium
9 Sept: Semifinals 1 & 2 – 5.15pm/7.15pm
11 Sept: Final – 5pm
