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Pune FC finally achieved the win they so desperately yearned for.
On Saturday, Pune FC dominated and sustained a spirited fight by Shillong Lajong FC to emerge 2-1 winners in a mid-afternoon I-League Round-13 encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong.
The victory, thus, completed a full circle for Pune FC as the host’s were the only team among all I-League teams whom they never beat in any competition.
But while the win set a new high in Pune FC’s history annals, the 3-points courtesy efforts from striker Jeje Lalpekhlua (29th minute) and his substitute Khanthang Paite (48th) enabled Pune FC move into 2nd position on the league table. Pune FC took their points tally to 26 points (the tally awaits clarity for AIFF verdict on the Mohun Bagan-East Bengal decision).
The win took Pune FC’s unbeaten run to eight in a row, but then not before SLFC defender Govin Singh (59th) pulled one back for the hosts and raised expectations of the all-for-SLFC gallery.
In fact, Pune FC closed out with a golden chance to add the third through a penalty-kick, which striker James Moga failed to put away. Into added time, Moga was felled by SLFC ‘keeper Lalthuanmawia Ralte as he rounded him inside the penalty-box. Ralte earned a red card, but his replacement Basant Singh was lucky to have Moga earn a corner kick.
The game began with hosts SLFC dominated proceedings in the first quarter. Fourteen minutes into the game, Moga created the first opportunity for the visitors when he set up winger Karma Tsewang only for the ‘keeper to save Karma’s long range effort.
Three minutes later defender Gurjinder Kumar had his attempt from the top of the box blocked by the SLFC defence. Moments later, Chika Wali shanked his effort after getting the ball in control from a corner.
At the other end, Chika had a moment when his boot came off but the sturdy defender did well to block crosses into the box. Couple minutes later, ‘keeper Abhra Mondal saved a long range effort from SLFC striker Sushil Kumar Singh with much ease.
A minute from the half-hour mark, Jeje put Pune FC in the lead. The striker controlled skipper Douhou Pierre’s cross in from the right and trickled it into the goal.
Jeje, meanwhile, ended his day out as he limped off injured and in-came Khanthang Paite.
The hosts almost pulled one back after Sushil had a stiff shot from top of the box. ‘Keeper Abhra was at his best and magnificently parried the shot wide at full stretch.
Five minutes from the break, SLFC went on a dangerous counter from midfield, only for an alert Anas Edathodika to clear.
Pune FC went into the break with a one-goal cushion.
On resumption, Paite made it two three minutes into the second half. The winger, on a well-timed run, headed home a perfect cross from Karma on the right.
Tempers flared as the referee booked SLFC’s Minchol Son and Moga for getting into a face off.
Govin Singh pulled one back for the hosts a minute before the hour mark to send the home fans into a frenzy. He netted off an innocuous long ranger at the near post as Abhra was caught flat footed anticipating a cross.
Having reduced the margin, Govin came close scoring the equalizer as his cross grazed the crossbar for a corner. At the other end, Pune FC had a golden chance for their third. Moga, on a clean through pass got into the box on a counter, tried to walk the ball in but failed after the SLFC defence cleared.
Both sides were creating chances aplenty, only for wayward finishing to let them down. Paite’s cross was too high for Moga and Sushil’s attempt was once again blocked by Abhra.
A minute from the final whistle, SLFC ‘keeper Ralte was shown a red card by the referee. The custodian brought down Moga on a counter. Moga failed to make the opportunity count as his spot-kick was saved by substitute ‘keeper Basant Singh. Although he had some hope off the rebound, only for his second attempt to come off the post.
Pune FC ‘keeper Abhra Mondal for all his efforts under the bar, was awarded the Man-of-the-Match award. It may be recalled that the last time Abhra played in Shillong he ended up with a cracked shin that kept him out of action.
