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Table toppers Atletico de Kolkata were at home and faced FC Pune City in their bid to stay unbeaten. The big news was that Fikru was back for the Kolkata team, after having served his ban while Pune City was missing David Trezeguet but had former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant on the bench, who was signed a few days back to replace the injured Colombian Omar Rodriguez. Pune City had beaten Kerala Blasters FC in their previous game while Atletico de Kolkata came out with a 1-1- draw against Chennaiyin FC.
Atletico de Kolkata were looking to open up a 5 point lead at the top while Pune were hoping for a win that would bring them level on points with Chennaiyin FC and also give them a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Solid start by Pune
The Pune team were wearing their orange and purple jersey while Kolkata were wearing their away strip, while playing at home. It was Pune who started off well by keeping possession as Kolkata seemed off the pace from the start.
But it was Kolkata who had the first real chance of the game, when Fikru swivelled well to take a shot on the half volley in the 11th minute and shot just wide. Slowly the Kolkata team started to dominate possession and Fikru was thriving on the delivery of the Atletico de Kolkata midfielders.
Cavin Lobo had a go from outside the box in the 26th minute but his shot went well wide, just giving an idea of how both teams were actually cancelling each other out as the match was just trudging along. Pune City were poor in possession and gifting Atletico de Kolkata the ball but they were not punished by the home team. Atletico were happy playing long balls but they were barely reaching their target as the Pune defence was on top.
The sprightly Cavin Lobo then set up Borja with a teasing ball into the Spaniard’s path but his shot looked to have been deflected high, keeping the score-line level.
Pune take advantage
Pune City scored in the 34th minute when Dudu scored off a cross, there was some controversy since Atletico de Kolkata defender Josemi was off the field getting treatment and Kolkata were down to 10 men and Pune took advantage of the situation. Kolkata almost levelled when Cirillo almost scored an own goal when he sliced a cross in the 43rd minute.
They almost made it 2 in the dying seconds of the first half when some bad defending saw Dudu set free, he passed the ball to Goossens but his low drive was very well saved by Roy and the resulting corner was also somehow saved off the line from Roy. Kolkata were lucky to end the half with just a one goal deficit.
Pune continue their good work
Finishing the 1st half with a flourish, Pune City started the 2nd half just as well; keeping the ball well and making the Atletico de Kolkata players run about. The 2nd half led to another slow start from Atletico de Kolkata, who were still reeling from having conceded the goal.
Lobo was the best Kolkata player on the field in the first half and narrowly shot wide in the 53rd minute. This got the crowd going and Fikru then followed up with an acrobatic shot from outside the box but it was a tame effort.
The crowd went silent again when Kostas scored an absolute screamer in the 55th minute from way outside the box to beat the Kolkata goalkeeper. The ball swerved left then ended in the right corner of the goal to leave Roy with no chance whatsoever and Kolkata were on their way to the first loss of the season.
Kolkata barely threatened the Pune City goal, the only chance came when the Pune goalkeeper barged into his own player Goossens but Kolkata could not take advantage of the situation. The goalkeeper was called into action again but he could not gather a cross in the 80th minute. The ball fell lose to Borja but Pune defended their lines well and just about cleared the ball.
Late penalty to Kolkata
The pressure on the Pune goalkeeper paid off when Fikru was played on through and was brought down by the goalkeeper, Fikru stepped up to take the penalty and he made no mistake halving the deficit. However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Dudu won a free kick outside the box and a low drive went through the Atletico de Kolkata wall as Davide scored Pune’s third goal and ended Kolkata’s unbeaten run in the league.
