Pune: Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Hrithik Roshan co-owned FC Pune City made their way to the top of the table by beating Atletico De Kolkata 1-0 at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune.
Coming back to the game with a 4-3-3- formation, FC Pune City had their inspirational skipper Didier Zokora back into the first team after starting from the bench in the last time game. Roger Johnson too started the game in the centre back position replacing Diego Colotto.
It was a dream start for FC Pune City as Jackichand Singh scored a goal in just the second minute of the game. The volley was brilliantly placed into the bottom corner leaving the Kolkata keeper Juan Sanchez no chance, thus making it the fastest goal of the Indian Super League 2015 season.
After scoring early on Pune pushed their visiting opponents on the backfoot. A few chances here and there but ATK didn’t have the arsenal to beat the shield like defense at the back.
Lenny Rodrigues who was playing his role to perfection had to be substituted in the 35th minute with India international Bikash Jairu. The first half ended with FC Pune City being the more dominant side of the two.
The second half kicked off with Atletico De Kolkata coach Antonio Habas making the first change for the visitors. Javi Lara was replaced by Jaime Gavilan. But that didn’t matter much as the home side kept pressing through the second half and testing the opposition defense.
When the clock struck 62nd minute an uncomfortable Jackichand was replaced Manish Maithani. FC Pune City continued to make in-roads into the Kolkata box with dangerous consistency. Marquee player Adrian Mutu got his first taste in the 81st minute coming in place of Hero of the match Tuncay Sanli who was impeccable through the game with his attacking prowess.
The referee finally blew the whistle for the last time after four minutes of added time to the regulation. The 1-0 scoreline now takes the home side on top of the table with nine points from four games followed by their opponents who lie 2nd with 7 in four games.
