Pune: Pune FC missed chances galore before getting their act together to register a 2-1 win over Prayag United Sports Club and move into the Top-5 of the I-League standings.
The home side who missed three gilt edged chances in the first half instead found themselves trailing by a Yusif Yakubu (41st) strike just before half time, before staging their comeback with goals from striker Keita Mandjou (49th) and Karma Tsewang (71st).
The win was Pune FC’s 10th of the season and with it took their points tally to 34 points, which also leveled Churchill Brothers tally but a better head-to-head record against the Goans puts Pune FC ahead.
The victory helped Pune FC maintain their clean sheet against the Kolkata side at home and incidentally was the first this season in three meetings.
The hosts began proceedings going agonizing close when both strikers Keita and Arata Izumi responsible once each before left wing back Gurjinder Kumar joined in to leave their fans and bench watch in awe the first 37 minutes of play.
With Pune FC going into the attack from the word go medio Douhou Pierre was first to open up the PUSC defence with a 25-yard try. Unmarked outside the penalty box, Douhou gathered the ball that came off a Shanmugam Venkatesh-Gurjinder and Arata combined move on the left.
Minutes later Keita positioned 6-yards away from the goal and just keeper Jagroop Singh ahead headed over a measured cross by Venkatesh from the left.
Nine minutes later, Karma played a perfect through ball to Arata who did well to gain upon the opportunity, but with the ‘keeper leaving his charge released from the top of the box yards wide at the open goal at second post.
Having missed out the chance of taking the lead the host’s went close again in the 37th minute. Gurjinder, picking up a Keita pass inside the penalty box, did well to beat defender Arnab Mondal with a neat side step and take a right-footed attempt that zipped inches wide.
The misses proved costly, as in the PUSC who were the lesser dominant of the two sides found Yakubu out-jump defender Caitano Costa then control the ball with his chest and release a left footer past ‘keeper Amrinder Singh to the left corner.
Changing ends, Pune took four minutes to equalize. A long deep throw in by Othallo Tabia from the right found Gurjinder head past defenders Suken Dey and Denson Devdas to an unmarked Keita who headed home at the first post giving keeper no chance.
Pune FC’s match winner was a well laid out move. Gurjinder played a long ball to Karma who with a timed run chested the ball to beat the off side trap. Karma, in the clear, had just the advancing keeper upfront. His first attempt was onto the keeper but the rebound fell in his stride and on his second chance scored.
Pune FC miss chances before downing Prayag United and move into Top 5
Pune FC missed chances galore before getting their act together to register a 2-1 win over Prayag United Sports Club and move into the Top-5 of the I-League standings.
The home side who missed three gilt edged chances in the first half instead found themselves trailing by a Yusif Yakubu (41st) strike just before half time, before staging their comeback with goals from striker Keita Mandjou (49th) and Karma Tsewang (71st).
The win was Pune FC’s 10th of the season and with it took their points tally to 34 points, which also leveled Churchill Brothers tally but a better head-to-head record against the Goans puts Pune FC ahead.
The victory helped Pune FC maintain their clean sheet against the Kolkata side at home and incidentally was the first this season in three meetings.
The hosts began proceedings going agonizing close when both strikers Keita and Arata Izumi responsible once each before left wing back Gurjinder Kumar joined in to leave their fans and bench watch in awe the first 37 minutes of play.
With Pune FC going into the attack from the word go medio Douhou Pierre was first to open up the PUSC defence with a 25-yard try. Unmarked outside the penalty box, Douhou gathered the ball that came off a Shanmugam Venkatesh-Gurjinder and Arata combined move on the left.
Minutes later Keita positioned 6-yards away from the goal and just keeper Jagroop Singh ahead headed over a measured cross by Venkatesh from the left.
Nine minutes later, Karma played a perfect through ball to Arata who did well to gain upon the opportunity, but with the ‘keeper leaving his charge released from the top of the box yards wide at the open goal at second post.
Having missed out the chance of taking the lead the host’s went close again in the 37th minute. Gurjinder, picking up a Keita pass inside the penalty box, did well to beat defender Arnab Mondal with a neat side step and take a right-footed attempt that zipped inches wide.
The misses proved costly, as in the PUSC who were the lesser dominant of the two sides found Yakubu out-jump defender Caitano Costa then control the ball with his chest and release a left footer past ‘keeper Amrinder Singh to the left corner.
Changing ends, Pune took four minutes to equalize. A long deep throw in by Othallo Tabia from the right found Gurjinder head past defenders Suken Dey and Denson Devdas to an unmarked Keita who headed home at the first post giving keeper no chance.
Pune FC’s match winner was a well laid out move. Gurjinder played a long ball to Karma who with a timed run chested the ball to beat the off side trap. Karma, in the clear, had just the advancing keeper upfront. His first attempt was onto the keeper but the rebound fell in his stride and on his second chance scored.
