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Hindustan FC were held to a goalless draw by FC Pune City Reserves in the I-League 2nd Division in the Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi on Friday.
Hindustan FC XI : Shailesh Kumar Maurya, Pawan Kumar Joshi, Pushpender Kundu (C), Amestrong Alexandre, Kushant Chauhan, Pawan Pratap Singh, Thomyo L. Shimray, Ashutosh Thapliyal, Asifullah Khan, Nitesh Chhikara, Mithun Samonto (GK)
FC Pune City XI : Anuj Kumar (C/GK), Harpreet Singh, Tarif Akhand, Abhishek Halder, Lalramzauva Khiangte, Yadav Rahul, Asish Rai, Jakob Vanlalhimpuia, Buanthunglun Samte, Sajid Hossain, Gaurav Bora
Hindustan FC looked the better side for a large spell of play in the first half. The Delhi based side troubled the Pune City B side in regular intervals with pacy play down the flanks.
Asifullah Khan came closest to scoring in the 30th minute from inside the box but he failed to connect the incoming cross cleanly and squandered the chance away for a Pune City goal-kick.
Pune City shifted gears after a good chunk of defensive play in the final third. Chelsterpaul Lyngdoh's introduction in the 71st minute was extremely pivotal in the remaining period of the game. He led the Pune City midfield and creating few openings but the Hindustan FC defence held through and came away with a point from the game.
With this draw, Hindustan FC are now top of the ladder in Group A as they have now 16 points from 8 games.
Pune City Reserves stay at third with 9 points from 7 games.
Hindustan FC next plays City Rivals Delhi Dynamos Reserves on May 1 at the same venue while FC Pune City Reserves hosts Lonestar Kashmir on May 8 at the Pirangute Football Ground, Bikaner.
