Kolkata: Pune FC staged a comeback 1-1 draw against Pailan Arrows to begin their campaign earning a point in the 116th IFA Shield at the East Bengal ground, Kolkata on Sunday.
Pailan Arrows were the first to score through Holicharan Narzery (17th), before Pune Fc striker Mandjou Keita (36th) pulled the game back on levels by cleanly converting a penalty-kick. Pune FC sprung a surprise naming Subrata Paul in the goal. The game was Subrata’s first, ever since he sustained injury in the Federation Cup encounter against East Bengal back in September 2011.
The game began with both sides forcing a couple of half chances with Subash Singh turning out to be livewire in the attacks which included Keita going clear on one occasion but was called off-side and medio Douhou Pierre sending in a high ball into the keeper’s hands.
With all eyes on Pune FC ‘keeper Subrata, his first collection - Anas Edathodika return header – was confident and stamped his hold by neatly punching out arrows first corner.
In the 13th minute of the game, Pune FC made the first goalmouth threat. Off a free kick from the right, earned after Subash was pushed down by Tirthashankar Sarkar, Pune FC’s Kamaljeet Kumar drove his left footer from 25 yards out straight into ‘keeper Naveen Kumar.
Six minutes later Pune FC conceded a goal after the defence got all mixed up. Arrows pushed forward through George Alwyn who wrong footed Caitano Costa a couple of yards outside the penalty box and fed the on-running Holicharan Narzery with a pass he controlled and finished to the left of Subrata.
Stung by the reverse, Pune FC forced two good moves. Keita combining with Subash had a chest and volley attempt go straight into the Arrows keeper’s hands, before Douhou sent a long ball for Subbash only to his striker miss out by a yard after the rival keeper left his charge and cleared on top of the box.
Thereafter, Pune FC time and again fell short in finish. Keita had a wayward attempt, then Douhou had a poor free kick from 25-yards go wide and in the meantime had Kamaljeet get a yellow card for checking Holicharan.
Puen FC finally made the breakthrough when Keita’s lobbed ball from the top of the box found Subash dart in only to have defender Prathamesh Maulingkar bring him down as he controlled the ball.
From the result penalty-kick, Keita send the Arrows ‘keeper the wrong way and level terms.
Thereafter two close moments defined the rest of the half. A curling corner kick by Avinabo Bag ended with Subrata collecting low on the goalline which was lucky as no Arrows player went for the ball. Then at the other end, Keita set up Subash for a go at the target, which he did but ended blocked and ran square to Keita whose try was blocked.
Pune FC returned for the second session to have Subrata come up with a great block off a Bikramjit Singh snapshot from 30 yards out which got past Kamaljeet and Costa.
At the other end, Karma Tsewang went close a minute later gaining on a Venkatesh wall pass inside the box but ended with his try was blocked from six yards out.
Just past the hour, Pune FC defence was again under pressure. Avinabo challenged Kamaljeet and Venkatesh deep into the penalty box on the right, which resulted in the Arrpws player playing back to Bikramjit who shot wide.
Tabia then swung in a cross that Keita connected high and in the process fell colliding with the keeper.
With both teams pushing hard, Karma aimlessly hit wide after Arata Izumi found Keita who in turn sprayed the ball wide to the wing half who was in an all clear position. Douhou had a long range attempt blocked by the defender, before Arrows had the final say in terms of attempts when Avinabo had custodian Subrata stretch to a well taken grounder.
