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The teams occupying the top two positions in ISL table played out a 1-1 draw at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. The home side Bengaluru FC had already booked their place in the semis even before this clash while FC Pune City took another step towards making the last four by securing a point from the encounter.
Sarthak Golui's first-half goal for Pune was cancelled out by Miku's effort in the second. Both teams had chances to increase their tally but had to settle for a point each in the end. Here are the talking points:
Subhasish Bose escapes career-threatening injury
The Bengaluru left-back could have endured a serious injury inside the first 10 minutes of the game. He could have broken his foot which would have put him out for the rest of the season and maybe much longer. Such was the severity of Marcelinho's challenge on him that you would wince in pain every time a replay of it is shown. It was a shocking challenge - studs up, high, over the ball, around the ankle area with his full body weight behind it.
Bose's foot buckled under the challenge and it was surprising to see no grievous consequences for the defender. The only thing more shocking was that it wasn't spotted by the either referee or his assistants. Marcelinho should have got marching orders.
Carelessness and composure results in FC Pune City taking the lead
Carelessness on the part of Bengaluru FC led to FC Pune City taking the lead in the 22nd minute. Sarthak Golui scored his very first ISL goal as he gave his side the lead. Bengaluru's John Johnson put Rahul Bheke in a tough spot with a poor pass halfway up their own half, Bheke's clearance came back off a Pune City player with both himself and Johnson out of position and fell favourably to Marcelinho who combined with Emiliano Alfaro to eventually work the ball to Golui who was in acres of space and free of any defenders to stroke it home.
Dismal referring continues
It looked like somebody had a gun pointed at Baljit Singh Sahni and ordered him to put his hands up. The only thing heading towards him was the football though. And when you purposely block the ball using your hands in this game, it's generally adjudged a foul. So one can understand why the Bengaluru players were clearly irate when this happened inside the penalty box in the 69th minute.
Sunil Chhetri's cross struck Sahni's hand, however, only a corner was forthcoming for the home side and penalty appeals fell on deaf ears. The referring in this edition of ISL has been under the spotlight and this incident won't help the cause either.
Kaith to the rescue
Vishal Kaith is probably one of the candidates for the Golden Glove award for being the best goalkeeper of the season. He's been consistently good for the Stallions. He came up with two more excellent saves today to keep out Miku.
In the 74th minute, Miku tried to steer a ball inside the near post after receiving a headed pass from Sunil Chhetri. But Kaith was alert to the danger and scrambled across goal to save the goal-bound effort with his right hand.
And that solid right-hand was called into action once again in the 80th, this time from a free-kick. Toni Dovale's effort from just outside the box on the left, took a deflection off Jonatan Lucca, Kaith was wrong-footed by the deflection, but he recovered in time to keep the ball out with a last-gasp punch.
Bengaluru did score eventually, but Kaith's efforts prevented the hosts from snatching all three points from the game.
Bengaluru FC vs FC Pune City will always be an exciting encounter
These two teams are amongst the most dangerous ISL sides when they go all guns blazing in the attacking third and today's match served us a reminder of how exciting a match-up between these two sides could be in the playoffs. It promises to be a tasty affair based on the two league meetings.
Bengaluru dominated possession, but Pune were dangerous on the counter. Bengaluru were a little off-colour today, perhaps due to the fact that they have already booked a place in the playoffs. They've also been busy with AFC Cup action.
A two-legged affair between these two clubs in the semis or a meeting in the final could be an enticing affair for the teams.
