Pune FC was checked in their stride suffering with a 1-2 reverse against Salgaocar FC in the Under-20 I-League 2013 at the JRD Sports Complex, Jamshedpur, on Thursday.
The loss comes on the back of winning their Group-A opener against Prayag United SC.
Pained by two moments of defensive madness, Pune FC were 0-2 with the game hardly five minutes old. Godfrey Silva (2nd minute) and Albino Pereira (4th minute) making most for the Goans.
The defending champions Pune FC fought back, created opportunities, but could only end up pulling one back through Lalnunfela William (68th minute).
The result of the game meant Pune FC and Salgaocar FC (3 points) share the top position. However, the Goans who played their first game have played one match short. Sporting Clube Goa (2 pts; 2 matches); United Sikkim SC (1 pt; 1 match) and Prayag United SC (1 pt; 2 matches) follow.
Pune FC made 2 changes to their line-up bringing in midfielder Rugved Yeole (for G Karthik) and striker Subasish Bose (for Thongkhosiem Haokip).
With the game hardly settled, Pune FC conceded a goal when Godfrey intercepted a back pass defender Henry Monsang played to keeper Avilash Paul. In a flash, the movement was completed with the Pune FC keeper beaten.
Two minutes later, unmarked Godfrey, with space upfront, moved deep and crossed. The cross failed to be interceped by wing-back Narendra Vakhare and allowed Albino connect ahead of defender Ranjan Singh who himself was slow in reacting.
Stung by the early reverse, Pune FC took a while to settle. In the 15th minute Nikhl Kadam made an impact on the rival goal with a long range grounder that stretched custodian Albino Gomes to palm out.
Three minutes later off corner-kick by Nikhil, Ranjan had his on-target header get cleared by Conny Dias on the line!
Pune FC’s rhythm was constantly unsettled by the Goans who did not leave space to go by. L William in one thrustful movement on the right was checked outside the penalty box wide on the left.
Skipper Abung Meetei then went close. Playing a wall pass with William, the Pune FC midfielder went over from 8 yards out.
Closing into the first quarter, Henry had his header flash past the second post off a free kick taken by Lalrempuia on the right.
Henry, then swung his free-kick from 22-yards out to stretch the keeper.
At half time, Pune FC trailed 0-2.
Changing ends, Pune FC began on the offensive, with the rivals preferring to play from the back and wait for the opportunity for a counter attack.
With Pune FC penetrating the rival’s penalty area often, finishing let them down. Lalrempuia forced the Salgaocar FC dive wide and palm out a stiff try, before Pune FC were rewarded for their efforts.
In the 68th minute, Nikhil found William on the right. The striker did well to use his pace, outrun three defenders, cut back, move onto the edge of the box and release a left footer ahead of Jose Joaqhim Vas. William’s powerful try jumped out of the custodians’ hand and rolled past the line at the far corner.
The goal saw Pune FC attack with vigour and create chances aplenty. A long throw-in by Narendra from the right, bounced over the rival defenders, but William on hand could not capatalise and ended with a soft header from close.
Kartik, Nikhil and Abung had long ambitious tries, but over the bar. Salgaocar FC, meanwhile, had at least four players go down in a bid to stall and break Pune FC’s dominance.
In one last thrust upfront, substitute Thongkhosiem Haokip missed a header from close after Karthik worked in a cross from the right.