Punjab FC head coach Staikos Vergetis has said his team will be determined to prove their mettle in the upcoming season of the Hero Indian Super League. Punjab FC will become the 12th team in the ISL after getting a promotion by winning the I-league in the 2022-23 season.
The club topped the standings in the I-League after winning 16 of their 20 league games while suffering just two losses all season. Ergo, Punjab FC will aim to continue the good show in the upcoming season of the ISL and make a mark for themselves.
The team’s head coach recognises the challenges his team can face in the forthcoming 10th edition of the ISL as there are potent teams in the league but feels they are ready to deliver their best.
“We recognise the difficulties. We will prepare and face them (opponents). We are preparing for the unexpected also but we cannot promise anything, we have to show it out on the field,” he said during the ISL Media Day in Kolkata.
Vergetis added they will have to be up to the mark in the ISL and prepare according to the opposition and conditions on offer.
“Each game for us is like a final. We have to plan according to the opponent, prepare and give everything game by game. We will see how far we can reach (end of the season),” said the Greek tactician.
Punjab FC has added players like Leon Augustine, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Prasanth K, Nikhil Prabhu, and Mashoor Shereef to their squad ahead of the new season.
Commenting on their transfer window, Vergetis said: “I feel that we did the correct movements during the summer. We kept 14 players from the previous year. In football, you cannot keep everyone happy. Apart from these 14 players, we took some talented players from Indian football. We also have good young Indian players who we hope to help become professional players in the coming years.”
Punjab FC will take on defending ISL Cup winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their opening fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Saturday.
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