Pune FC sign defender Ralte
July 30th, 2012 - 7:21 pm ICT by IANSPune, July 30 (IANS) Pune Football Club reinforced their backline by signing up 22-year-old central defender Zohmingliana Ralte ahead of the 2012-13 season.
The Mizoram-based player joined Pune FC for a two-year period after playing out three seasons with north-east side Shillong Lajong FC.
Ralte, thus provides coach Derrick Perreira an additional option apart from already having Anas Edathodika, Chika Wali and Caitano Costa for the position. For the record, Ralte is the youngest central defender in the squad.
Pune FC Head Operations, Chirag Tanna confirms the signing saying, “We are happy to have Zohmingliana in our midst. His hard work caught our eye and moreover Pune FC needed a player in the position. I wish him all the best.”
The defender who flew into Pune on Saturday, in fact joined the team for a session at the gym.
Hailing from Aizawl (Mizoram), Ralte’s strong and sturdy self has always turned out to be a factor in making him an integral part of the first eleven of his previous club. Though young, he boasts of regular experience at the highest level and has two I-League seasons and three Fed Cup experiences under his belt.
In 2009-10, Ralte was a Federation Cup finalist in Guwahati. Interestingly, Pune FC was in the same group as Lajong FC. Subsequently, the defender was also a Federation Cup semi-finalist in 2011-12 where Lajong FC won the group in Pune, but lost to eventual champions Salgaocar SC, Goa.
Having played in the rival side against Pune FC, Ralte has featured in five encounters from the three seasons he turned up for the North-east side and played a major role in helping his side avoid defeats in those games. The five matches include - I-League and Fed Cup (2009-10), IFA Shield (2010-11), I-League (home and away) in 2011-12.
Ralte’s inclusion in Pune FC makes him the second Mizoram player after striker Jeje Lalpekhlua to be in the side for the 2012-13 season.
The defender’s signing thus takes Pune FC’s total squad strength to 26, with just the Asian player quota to be filled up.
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- I-League: Pune FC take on Salgaocar - Apr 17, 2012
- Federation Cup: Pune FC placed in tough draw - Aug 31, 2012
- Pune FC sign South Sudan striker James Moga - Jun 23, 2012
- I-League: Pune FC beat Chirag United 3-1 - Nov 02, 2011
- Relegation-threatened Mumbai FC face Lajong - Apr 03, 2012
- Lajong held at home by Pune FC in I-League - Jan 28, 2012
- Sporting Clube beat Lajong 1-0 - Mar 31, 2012
- Pune FC to face Sporting in I-league football Friday - Oct 26, 2011
- I-League begins Saturday, spotlight on Dempo-Salgaocar clash - Oct 21, 2011
- I-League: Air India draw with Lajong - Jan 14, 2012
- I-League: Pune FC look to open gap on rivals for second spot - Apr 14, 2012
- Chirag Kerala host Pune FC - Mar 31, 2012
- Lajong ropes in MNC as stakeholder - Feb 29, 2012
- Arnab, Clifford ruled out from AFC Challenge Cup - Mar 02, 2012
Tags: backline, central defender, cup finalist, derrick, experiences, fed cup, federation cup, football club, goa, guwahati, inclusion, league home, league seasons, midst, previous club, semi finalist, shillong, tanna, three seasons, wali