New Delhi: Pune FC Under-17s opened their campaign in the 56th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament with a 5-0 thrashing of Bengaluru FC in a Pool-G encounter at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.

A second half brace from striker Lalawmpuia (60th & 68th minute) and goals from winger Buanthanglun Samte (15th), full back Kiran Saravanan (43rd) and defender Asish Rai (71st) Pune FC to a massive win.

Playing their first competitive game after their triumph in the Administrator’s Challenge Cup in Chandigarh a week ago, Pune FC began dominating this 35-minute per half game right from the word go.

After few early chances, Buanthanglun Samte broke the deadlock at the quarter hour mark. The winger hammered home Kiran’s inch-perfect cross from the edge of the box to get on the scoresheet and give Pune FC a one goal lead going into the breather.

With a one goal lead, Pune FC began playing freely in the second half and doubled their lead instantly. Kiran with a neat finish from close range made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute.

Striker Lalawmpuia then struck twice in the final quarter to give Pune FC a four-goal cushion. First he converted from the spot in the 60th minute after a rival defender handed the ball in inside the box. Thereafter, the diminutive striker beat the offside trap and finished past the Bengaluru FC custodian in the 68th minute.

Three minutes later, defender Asish Rai rounded off the big win scoring in the first minute of injury time to seal a 5-0 win.

Pune FC will now face AIFF Academy’s Under-17 team in the final group game on Saturday, 10th October for a place in the quarters.