ISL: FC Goa 2-0 FC Pune City: 5 talking points

At the end of match no 38 of the Indian Super League (ISL) it was a case of all debts repaid in full for FC Goa. In the previous outing between the two teams, back in Pune, it was Goa, who handed Pune their first win of the season — a 2-0 victory then for the home team with Trezeguet and Katsouranis scoring for them. Today it was a reversal of fortunes for Goa, who repaid the debt in full, with a 2-0 victory over FC Pune City.In the process they broke into the top four, (after having languished at the bottom for a good deal of the season) with Pune being pushed down into the sixth position (where they hadn’t been in the last three weeks).We take a look at the talking points of the match:

#1 Goa\'s attacks were full of purpose

When Pune had played Goa at home on October 26, it was the 16th minute of the game where Pune broke the deadlock and scored the first goal of the game via David Trezeguet. It took Goa just six minutes into the first half to repay a part of the debt. They went on the onslaught right from the opening minute. Goa came close to a goal as early as the second minute of the game, when Santos came agonising close to scoring, only to be denied by Arnidam.

Four minutes later, Pune needlessly gave a free kick away just outside the box on the left hand side. Santos took the shot and Romeo Fernandes headed it in at the near post. Pune struggled for the next 88 minutes of the game to get the equaliser, even after they stepped up their attack in the second half. The match was eventually secured, and the scoreline completed in the last minute of the game when Miroslav Slepicka scored the second goal of the game and his first of the ISL for the home team.

#2 Pune\'s improved passing

FC Pune City's passing frailty was heavily exposed in their rout against Chennaiyin FC. While they took time to adapt to the game (which saw them chase Goa down for an equaliser unsuccessfully for the rest of the match) their passing was much improved today.

Park Kwang Il, who started the game today made most of the runs for Pune, coming close to scoring in the first half. While the midfield still looked rusty and was not caught off its guard (save for a couple of occasions late in the second half) like the previous game. Even though Pune lost the encounter, there are plenty of positives that coach Franco Colomba's team can take from the game. And one of them is their improved passing. Hopefully the team will find their previous form in time for their next encounter.

#3 Goa\'s defence and man-marking

They got all their tactics right in the game today. In many ways the opening goal was the game changer for Goa. Post the attacks in the opening 30 minutes of the game Goa kept on defending wave after wave of attacks from the visiting team, only going ahead on the counter.

Given that Pune were playing a lone striker up front, they had taken good care to mark Dudu well. Gregory didn't let him get a chance to get behind the ball and take his customary shots on goal. Perhaps it is time for Colomba to think of a new strategy as teams have started to figure out Pune's strength and are converting it to make it their Achilles heel.

Kostas barely had a shot on target in the midfield in the first half. While everything changed drastically in the second half for them, there is no denying that Pune were held off very well today by the home team.

#4 FC Pune City\'s formation

For some reason which is still unknown, the only formation that has worked in the favour of Pune is the 4-4-2 formation. The three man defence in the earlier games didn't work out to their favour, nor has the altered mid-field with the 2-3 combination. And that was the case today too.

Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, to counter Goa's similar one Pune took too much time to settle down as far as the mid-field is concerned. And that hurt them in the end. Even though Pune have been playing out draws, the last two losses have ensured that they fell from the third spot to the sixth. It is important to note that the team clawed its way to the top only after having hit rock bottom. That was during the initial stages of the league. It would be very tough for them to fight back to the top if they don't try to arrest the free fall.

#5 Pune\'s inability to stop conceding last minute goals:

In the last game, Pune was one goal down chasing Chennaiyin FC for the elusive second goal to equalise, only to stumble in the very last minute of the game to lose the game 3-1. What happened then was the goal difference escalated and Pune dropped below Mumbai, in the points table, thereby becoming fifth then.

In today's game the situation was slightly different. Pune was one goal down, chasing an elusive first goal to score an equaliser when they attacked too deep only to leave the goal exposed to a Goan counter attack. In fact when Miranda came on late in the second half, his first touch almost led to a goal.

Another occasion in the latter half of the game saw Santos send a perfect ball in for Amiri who messed it up. It just goes to show that Pune is losing out on vital points, which will hurt them later on in the league if they continue conceding such late goals. Attacking up-front is fine, but the ability to quickly get behind is something that they will need to improve on if they harbour hopes of reaching the semis.