'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
FC Pune City came up with some super football as they signed off the first phase of their home assignment winning with a solitary goal over table toppers, Atletico Club de Kolkata in the Hero Indian Super League at the Balewadi sports Complex on Saturday.
It was the Indian striker who scored as early as the second minute of play. Which incidentally was the fastest goal this season.
The teams exhibited some good soccer. There were few moments of individual brilliance but the game was won by team work. Pune got back to their winning ways, and moved ahead in the points tally with nine points, while Kolkata retained their top position. It was treat for the 9000-odd crowd that was in attendance.
FC Pune City coach, David Platt as he is known for made five changes to the side that played Delhi Dynamos. Diego Colotto, Manish Maithani, James Bailey, Kalu Uche and Wesley Verhoek were left out making way for Didier Zokora coming back to lead the side. Joining him the line up were Roger Johnson, Yendrick Ruiz, Eugeneson Lyngdoh and the top scorer Tuncay Sanli who scored both the goals in their 2-1 win over FC Mumbai, in the opener.
It was quite evident from Atletico de Kolkata’s display that they missed the big name in the playing list. But they did put up a good fight with Iain Hume, Izumi Arata and Javier Lara Grande doing their bit. But Pune’s defence consisting of Roger Johnson with Ravanan Dharmaraj and the keeper Steven Simonsen combined well to keep them at bay.
Indian striker Jackichand Singh Telem scored the fastest goal of the second season when he volleyed home Tuncay Sanli’s through ball as early as the 2nd minute of play.
The Antonio Lopez Habas coached side’s aggression came from Arata who looked menacing up front. Kalu Uche did trouble the Kolkata defence in patches but not to any great degree.
Pune were almost 2-0 up in the 30th minute. It was Sanli who initiated the move. He pierced the defence and his right footer came off Juan Jesus and was punched away by the keeper but the ball would only go as far as Jackichand who could not find the net from close range.
In the 35th minute, FC Pune City’s playmaker Lenny Rodrigues had to leave the field after he clashed with Kolkata defender Mohanraj Nallapan. He was replaced by Jairu. This was a major setback for the hosts.
FC Pune City went in at half-time a goal ahead but wishing that they had converted a few more of their chances.
The second half was a drab affair that saw both sides create a few chances but none of them were converted as is evident from the final scoreline. The teams played out a scrappy half that didn’t produce any clear-cut chances and the game played into the home side’s hands.
The away side seemed to be lacking in vigour and creativity, but they will hope to improve on their performance as the tournament progresses.
