Two-time former champions Pune FC U-19 open their campaign against arch rivals Mumbai FC in an U-19 I-League 2014-15 Maharashtra Zone Round 1 clash at the Pune FC Training Pitches in Mamurdi on Saturday.

Going into the game, Pune FC will be eager to kick start their campaign in the zonal round on a positive note with a win. Moreover, having narrowly missed out qualification to the final round in the 2013-14 season, where the team finished second in the group stage, the lads will be eager to put on a good show and having the right start is equally important.

Echoing the same sentiments, Pune FC Coach Naushad Moosa said, “It is going to be a long tournament and the boys are prepared for it. We want to have a good start but we will only take every game as it comes and give our hundred per cent every time.”

Pune FC will be confident of their chances ahead of the clash on Saturday having participated in four all-India Open Tournaments since the start of the season in July.

Moreover, having made it into the semifinals of the prestigious Kalinga Cup in Orissa, it will give them the added boost ahead of the league opener.

However, the game on the morrow won’t be an easy one against an unpredictable Mumbai FC side who too will try to improve their performance from the previous season. Furthermore, with bragging rights on offer in this Junior Maha-Derby clash, both teams will go all out.

Ahead of the game, Mumbai FC Team Manager Henry Picardo said, “We are excited ahead of our first game in the Under-19 I-League this season. Pune FC is a strong side and being an away game, we will try a get a point at least.”

The game kicks off at 15.15 IST on Saturday.