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After registering their first win against Jamshedpur FC in their last match, FC Pune City had to contend with another defeat at home. They went down to NorthEast United FC who won comfortably by 2-0 at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune on Tuesday.
The scoreline wouldn’t suggest the real picture for Pune, who tried their best to get an equalizer in the whole match after conceding the first goal. However, profligacy in the attacking third might have prevented them another win or even a draw.
The task is just becoming harder for Pune, who now completed half of their campaign. With only five points from nine matches, the chances of making it to the final now look increasingly bleak.
The Highlanders on the other hand, may not have been the better side on Tuesday but it was enough for them to get all the three points from a vital away match. North East now moved to the second position of the table with 17 points from eight matches – just two points behind Bengaluru FC, who played one match less.
It was that man Barthalomew Ogbeche who opened the scoring for NorthEast. Fernando Gallego’s corner fell on Pune box. Amid a goalmouth melee, Ogbeche somehow poked the ball home avoiding his marker Gurtej Singh. Sahil Panwar fouled Juan Mascia in the dying moments as NorthEast earned a penalty. The Uruguayan calmly converted from the spot to ensure the three points for his team.
Let us look the hits and flops of the match:
Hit: Iain Hume (FC Pune City)
The Canadian made his first start of the season. After spending a lot of time out of the pitch due to injury, Iain Hume was introduced by Pune’s interim coach Pradyumn Reddy in the last match. Against NorthEast, he included him in the starting line-up, probably keeping the shape of his attack without Diego Carlos, who was suspended.
Hume had played only in the first half and was replaced by Marko Stankovic before the start of the second half. But within a little time, Hume left the similar impression which we are used to seeing. He played with the same aggression, the same agility in front of the goal.
During his time on the field, he challenged almost on every ball. He was working tirelessly to keep the pressure on the opponent’s defence. He got a good ball from Sahil Panwar in 33rd minute but only a little hefty first touch saw the ball saved by the goalkeeper.
Flop: Robin Singh (FC Pune City)
In their last match against Jamshedpur FC, Robin Singh had a forgettable day. All of the chances go wasted by him and he failed to make his mark. Against NorthEast, his fortune hadn’t changed. Despite being the lone striker for a majority of the game, he failed to get his name on the score sheet.
It’s true that he improved his performance from last season. But still, he needs more improvement, especially in terms of converting chances. He had a beautiful to opportunity in the dying moments to get the elusive goal. But his header went wide.
Initially, Robin was operating from the right flank but after Hume was replaced, he played a lone striker and never really created an opportunity which was expected from him. Pune are suffering from a lack of striking options and the off-form of Robin has only increased their problem.
Hit: Bartholomew Ogbeche (NorthEast United)
The Nigerian striker is a man with a mission. Every time he gets on to the field, there is only one aim, to score goals. He is so far successful in his mission, as Ogbeche registered his eighth goal from as many matches and equaled Ferran Corominas of FC Goa on the top scorers list.
Pune dominated the initial proceedings, so Ogbeche didn’t get too many chances to create fear in the rival defence. He got his first chance in 21st minute. Federico Gallego lofted a ball into the box and Ogbeche sprinted to toe-poke it. The ball almost went into the net before Pune goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh showed brilliant reflexes to keep the ball out of danger with two fingers.
Ogbeche didn’t have to wait for long though. He was surrounded by Pune defenders when Gallego took the corner and avoided everyone to slot the ball home.
Flop: Marcelinho (FC Pune City)
The one player who needed to rose to the occasion was Pune’s Brazilian striker Marcelinho. Pune have already loaned Emiliano Alfaro to ATK and Diego Carlos was suspended for this match. In their absence, Marcelinho was expected to shine in front of the home fans.
Marcelinho and Hume built up a good understanding with each other. They were exchanging ball quite smoothly and almost all the attack in the first half came from their feet. On a couple of occasions, Marcelinho went near the goalmouth but failed to make the opportunity count.
Surprisingly, his performance faded as the second half started. The only negative point for him is, he loses cool too often. Within ten minutes in the second half, there came one occasion. Jose Leudo pushed Marcelinho out of the field with his shoulder. That was a fair challenge and the referee didn’t give any foul.
Seeing the denial from the officials, Marcelinho got up and rashly fouled Leudo. This time the whistle was blown by the Singaporean referee Mohammad Taqi and Marcelinho was verbally cautioned.
So bad was his performance in the second half Reddy replaced him more than ten minutes before the match, knowing they had no one to score.
Hit: Federico Gallego (NorthEast United)
It is said that Federico Gallego is the heart and spine of this team. The main reason behind NorthEast’s domination this season is the Uruguayan’s inspiring performance in almost every match. Such is his impact that in almost every game, there needs to be certain paragraph reserved for this midfielder.
Against Pune, Gallego started in his usual approach and drifted positions with Juan Mascia quite often to confuse the rival players. He is using this trick for the last few matches and no one so far was able to control the Uruguayan from making his movement.
He is given the license by the coach Eelco Schattorie to roam anywhere on the field and he did exactly that against Pune. He went down to make clearances, moved up to make crosses and guided the ball on the middle of the pitch. Basically he did what he wanted to. Pune players haven’t got the answer on how to stop him. He deservedly took away the man of the match award.
