FC Pune City made the race for a spot in the playoffs even more interesting with an enthralling 4-3 win over league leaders Delhi Dynamos. A match that will go down as an ISL classic saw the visitors go ahead with a Kean Lewis opener in the first half but an eight-minute three-goal blitz saw Pune win against the Dynamos against all odds.
FC Pune manager Antonio Habas was ecstatic after a fine victory which pushes his club into the play-off positions.
Both the teams created a number of chances throughout the match with the game moving swiftly from one end to the other. Delhi went ahead at the break and it looked like it may be curtains for Pune's semifinals hopes.
Also Read: ISL 2016: FC Pune City 4-3 Delhi Dynamos - Player ratings
Habas encouraged his players at the break and told them to keep believing: “We were content that we created many chances despite going behind after the first half. I think we were unlucky to concede but my message to the boys was just to keep believing in themselves,” said the FC Pune City manager
Pune played their last home game last night and defeated the most entertaining team of this season and Habas reflected on the victory, "Pune City played against arguably the best side of this tournament and did really well. I am really happy for all the supporters and also for the players who gave their all. For us, this was the best game of this season and I can say that it might be the same for the Dynamos."
FC Pune City leapfrogged Atletico De Kolkata to sit on the fourth spot after 11 games and 15 points in their bag. Spanish forward Anibal Zurdo scored a brilliant brace for the Stallions with Mohammed Sissoko completing a three-goal juggernaut in seven minutes for the home side.
Substitute Lenny Rodrigues scored the fourth which finally proved to be the difference between the two sides. Kean Lewis, an own goal by Eduardo Ferreira and a Malsawmzuala goal kept the Dynamos in the game but they fell to a late goal at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Balewadi-Pune.
Pune City are now in a strong position to reach the knockout stages for the first time and Habas spoke about his team’s resolve, "Two games before this, everyone wrote us off. We fought back and will take it game by game. The focus will be just on the next match against North East and not further than that. A step by step approach will be our motto for the next few matches.”
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