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Pune FC suffered a crucial blow by going down to I-League leaders Churchill Brothers 1-2 in a Round-23 encounter at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco Goa on Friday.
Conceding two second-half goals in a span of five minutes through Bineesh Balan (58th) and striker Sunil Chhetri (63rd) Pune FC undid their chances of closing in on the leaders.
Pune FC staged a late comeback when Boima ‘Jerry’ Karpeh (90+1) volleyed in a blinder, but the on field theatrics by experienced ‘keeper Sandip Nandy held up well for the Goans in the six minutes of added time.
The loss meant that Pune FC remain on 37 points, while Churchill took their tally to 45. Incidentally, it was Pune FC’s first defeat on Goan soil this season.
Pune FC’s line-up had three changes from the last game; goalkeeper Shahinlal Meloly came in for the injured Abhra Mondal, Shahin (Abhra); central midfielder Douhou Pierre (Arata Izumi – one match suspension) and upfront Jeje Lalpekhlua replaced Boima Karpeh.
The initial minutes belonged to Pune FC, with striker James Moga making the first inroad from the left. Stealing the ball wide on the flank from Denzil Ferrao, Moga’s quick thinking out-stepped cross was good but into ‘keeper Sandip Nandy.
Holding distinct advantage, Pune FC combined well and often created problems for the opposition through Khantang Paite and Karma Tsewang.
Nearing the ten minute mark, Pune FC went in. Douhou on a run squared to Jeje. The striker in turn held off two defenders to find Douhou again, but the cross that followed was straight into the ‘keeper.
Two minutes later, the Goans created two half chances. Striker Balal Arezou heading wide and then Tomba Singh went over.
A minute later at the other end, Moga’s half volley went over after utalising Gurjinder Kumar’s cross from the left.
Pune FC’s then had a clear cut chance in the 14th minute. Karma doing well on the right intelligently pierced the Goan defence to find Jeje. The striker, in the clear on the edge of the penalty box, ended miscuing and missing the opportunity.
Four minutes later, Othallo Tabia cross from the right had Paite head on to Moga. Finding Douhou clear, Moga played him clear only to see the medio’s curling try go over.
The Goans threatened at the other end, after medio Sukhwinder Singh was too casual in approach with Chhetri lurking. As a result, Chettri gained set up Henry, only to have Chika cover up.
The best chance of the half was created by Pune FC. A combined effort between Moga, Jeje and Douhou put Karma in the clear on the right. The winger did well with his effort only to have Denzil clear a yard off the goalline.
Nearing half time, Jeje had a grounder from a distance go straight to the keeper.
On resumption, Pune FC pushed hard creating chances, but none were clear. Douhou, on one occasion, did well to find Jeje on the edge of the box. A quick release to Moga, who cut in ended with a try into the keeper.
In the 57th minute, Churchill went close. Ravannan floating the ball from the right sailed over defender Gurjinder Kumar, Churchill’s Balal and defender Chika only to have Chhetri fall a yard short at the far post.
At the other end, the home side took the lead with ‘keeper Shahinlal virtually making the move happen. A careless clearance by the keeper went straight to Henri Arnaud a couple of yards outside the box. A quick release between Othallo and Chika to Bineesh Balan ended with an intelligent angular finish past Anas Edathodika and the ‘keeper.
Five minutes later, Pune FC conceded another goal. From the right, Anas loses a challenge to Henri who backheeled to Chettri. The striker in the clear curled his left-footer from the top of the box past a hapless Shahin.
Minutes later, Pune FC were caught again. Keeper Shahin came out to clear a long ball only to be beaten by striker Henri who controlled the ball well. The striker then curled in a ball only for Chika to clear on the goalline.
Pune FC the brought in Boima in place of Chika to add firepower upfront. Giving everything in search of a goal they had striker Moga’s diving header go over from inside the box. At the other end, Shahin produced a brilliant save to deny Chhetri.
Pushing ahead in the final quarter, Pune FC were let down by finishing in the final third. Douhou had his attempt from distance go over. The opponents were meanwhile employing various time wasting tactics with ‘keeper Nandy going down on several occasions.
Into added time, Pune FC pulled one back through Karpeh. The substitute controlled a long ball on the left on top of the box and unleashed a half-volley past the keeper to bring the game into life.
Pune FC then pushed ahead in the final minutes in search of the equalizer. And much to their disappointment, Nandy once again went down leaving the Pune FC bench furious.
