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The international break finally brought some fortune for FC Pune City. The club, which was languishing at the bottom of the ISL table, finally registered its first win against one of the strongest team this season, Jamshedpur FC. Pune City won by 2-1 at their home stadium in Balewadi Complex on Wednesday.
The game was a dramatic affair right from the start. Both teams had chances and ultimately it was Pune who got the better of their mighty opponent. With this win, Pune climbed up to the eighth position of the league table with five points from eight matches. Jamshedpur, who had their first loss of the campaign remained on fourth with 11 points from the seven matches as well.
Diego Carlos scored in the fourth minute to get the lead for Pune. What a comeback it was for the Brazilian! He was banned for stamping Seriton Fernandes in their match against FC Goa. He was shown a straight red card and later was suspended for two more matches with a fine of rupees two-lakh.
He was back against Jamshedpur and scored using his brilliant skills. He dribbled past couple of defenders before shooting on the low corner and Jamshedpur custodian Subrata Paul had no chance to save. However, Jamshedpur got back into the game in the 10th minute when Sumeet Passi headed from Carlos Calvos’s corner.
The winning goal came from the experienced English veteran Matt Mills when he headed from a corner in the 86th minute to earn all three points for his club. The game also saw the return of Iain Hume who was sidelined due to injury. The Canadian made his first appearance in this season.
Let us look at the hit and flop players of the match:
Flop: Gurtej Singh
The Pune City captain was definitely the worst player of the night. He failed to mark the opponent players which eventually led his team to concede. Later in the second half, he almost scored an own goal during a wrong clearance, which fortunately hit the post and went wide.
Just before Jamshedpur's equaliser, Carlos Calvo was doing his tricks on the left flank. Sumeet Passi was slowly making way inside the box. Gurtej had all the time to mark the striker. He didn’t. As a result, Passi had no trouble in putting the ball in. He himself was surprised to see how he scored so easily.
Gurtej failed to get his defensive duties on more than one occasion. He failed to clear a ball late in the second half when the goalkeeper was not in his position. Fortunately, the ball went wide.
Hit: Carlos Calvo
Calvo is the only Jamshedpur player who found a place on this list. In fact, he is the only player who needs to get a mention. Of course, Jamshedpur missed players like Sergio Cidoncha, Tim Cahill and Gourav Mukhi. But Calvo tried his best to take the responsibility, which he did, but that was not enough to avoid a defeat.
Jamshedpur coach Cesar Ferrando kept Michael Soosairaj on the bench and included Calvo in his starting line-up. Calvo started as a central attacking midfielder but quickly switched his position with Pablo Morgado. The Spaniard has some brilliant footwork and at the same time, he has pace, by which he can quickly reach the goalmouth. His crosses from the left side are also lethal.
Pune got a taste of that when Calvo’s pin-point cross was met by Passi. The Indian was quiet but Calvo celebrated the goal by fisting his hands. Apart from his crosses and brilliant run-ins, Calvo took a brilliant left-footed shot which went inches over the bar. That could’ve stamped his mark on the pitch.
Flop: Robin Singh
During his prime, Robin Singh was the go-to man for every coach. He was always included in the starting line-up for his goal-scoring ability. He had powerful shots and was also brilliant in the air. Many of his career goals came from his head.
Now, the Punjab-born is a pale shadow of himself. Not many in the Indian football fraternity know which team he plays for. He changed teams frequently and lost his form on the way. He is also out of reckoning from the national team due to his goal scoring profligacy nowadays.
Pune City have loaned Emiliano Alfaro to ATK. But both Diego Carlos and Marcelinho were back in the team. Iain Hume, who also made a return to the squad, was kept on the bench and Robin Singh started as the lone striker.
As he was not getting enough chances initially as Marcelinho and Carlos were making all the moves, Robin tried to collect the ball from the opponent’s feet and in the process committed some harsh fouls. He was lucky enough not to be booked by the referee on a couple of occasions.
He got a chance to be the hero of the match in the 61st minute when Kuruniyan made a golden cross and all Robin had to do was to poke the ball home. Jamshedpur goalkeeper Subrata Paul was on the other side of the goal and Robin had an open goal. All he could do was head the ball way over the bar.
Hit: Ashique Kuruniyan
The youngster is touted as the best talent that FC Pune City have ever produced. After his short stint with Villareal B, Kuruniyan got more maturity and now makes regular appearances in the national team.
Just a few days ago against Jordan, he was introduced as a second-half substitute and he alone changed the complexion of the game. He provided the attacking solidity which India was missing till then. His inspiring performance was praised by the coach too. All this happened despite the fact that he was one among the seven players who were stuck in Kuwait Airport for 32 hours!
So, whenever Kuruniyan takes the field, something is expected from him. On Wednesday, the Mallapuram-born was in his usual best. He was constantly threatening from the right flank with his raw pace and Robin Gurung had to endure a tough time to keep him quiet. He has good peripheral vision and can use the wide angle of the pitch.
He was always there whenever Pune attacked and tried desperately to make a contribution. He could’ve registered his name on the score sheet but his left-footed screamer from 22 yards hit the woodwork in the 17th minute.
Hit: Marcelo Leite Pereira
Marcelinho’s off form was one major reason for Pune being out of form for the last few matches. The Brazilian was suspended in the last match against ATK as he received a straight red card in their match against Chennaiyin FC for a dangerous foul.
But you can never resist Marcelinho on his day. Against Jamshedpur, Marcelinho did everything except score a goal. Whenever he got the ball, he tried to do something. Sometimes he passed it to his teammates, sometimes used his pace and skills to move towards the opponent’s box.
He took every set-piece. Two of which were targeted on goal and Subrata Paul had to use his best skills to avoid conceding.
He has an angry head and often gets punished for that. If he keeps himself calm on the field, then Pune fans can dream for a miracle. His off form is also a concern but the fans shouldn’t be worried as Humey is back on the team!
