'%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)
Romanian national Adrian Mutu made his presence felt when he volleyed home for FC Pune City in injury time to earn his side a 2-2 draw against the table toppers FC Goa, and share points in their Hero Indian Super League encounter at the Balewadi sports Complex, Pune on Sunday.
As it was predicted, it was indeed a ‘Super Sunday’ as Eugeneson Lyngdoh put Pune ahead in the 32nd minute, but two goals in a span of ten minutes, one each by Rafael Coelho (34th) and Jonatan (44th), silenced the roaring Pune fans at their own back yard.
But, Mutu who has been benched for most of the matches, came up with a stunner as Zico and Company (Goa FC ) had to be content with one point. However, the Goan outfit maintained their top position in this second edition of the League with 15 points while Pune climb up to second place with 14 points, thanks to better goal average.
Delhi Dynamos also have 14 points but fall back on the goal differences as they have no goal advantage. FC Pune City have proved they are one of the contenders for the championship.
A thrilling finish to a hard fought game
David Platt’s boys dominated the proceedings in the first quarter but fell back in the last two. And it was here that they conceded the two goals. It was yet again Eugeneson who came up with a good goal after Zakaro outpaced a couple for defenders before finding him just a few meters in front of the goal. Eugeneson made no mistake in beating Kattimani, the Goan keeper. This happened in the 32nd minute.
The joy had hardly died down when Zico’s boys hit back two minutes later. It was Rafael Coelho who made it happen. The Brazilian Rafael did make decent contact with the ball, but Steve Simonsen under the Pune bar was slow in reacting as the ball raced past him over his stretching hands. Simonsen had been outstanding in this championship otherwise.
Nine minutes later, The Brazilian Jonatan Lucca made it 2-1 for the visitors after his right footer deflected off a Pune defender to crash into the net.
The intense battle on the field continued after the change off ends and just when the Pune fans were about to leave the stadium dejected, they were treated to an exhilarating finish thanks to Adrian Mutu who popped up with a last-gasp strike, much to the delight of the home fans.
