Jamshedpur: Pune FC continued their surge with a facile 2-0 win over Mohun Bagan AC in Round-3 the Under-20 I-League (Final Phase) at the JRD Sports Complex, Jamshedpur on Wednesday.
The result strengthened Pune FC’s grip at the top of the table and took their points tally to nine from their third win.
An own goal by Bagan defender Davinder Singh (22nd minute) and a goal from skipper Nikhil Kadam (32nd) were enough to give Pune FC three crucial points.
Pune FC began the game making one change, bringing in L.H Lalrinawma (Rinte) for Abung Meetei in the central midfield.
The initial exchange was tough with Bagan thwarting every move with a clearance or with a physical challenge. Both strikers L. William and Thongkhosiem Haokip ended up fouled and ignored by the referee.
Pune FC, finally earned a free-kick in the 5th minute, only to have defender Henry Monsang bury his effort into the wall.
Three minutes later, Pune FC went close. Haokip found skipper Nikhil with a quick release only for his poor control to allow the ‘keeper Tajuddin collect the ball.
Pune FC slowly came into their elements and dominating the midfield and cut off several inroads made by Bagan.
In the 9th minute, Pune FC had a simple chance of forging ahead. Defender Riyan Yadgiri’s clearance found Haokip clear. But somehow Haokip missed a sitter of a tap-in sending his shot wide with the keeper advanced.
Five minutes later, defender Salam Ranjan Singh controlled Nikhil’s long corner kick only to scream his effort over at second post. Playmaker F. Lalrempuia followed it with a crack at the goal forcing the keeper into an acrobatic save.
At the other end, Bagan had their freekick go wide after Riyan brought down Adarsh Tamang.
Twenty-two minutes into the game, Pune FC took the lead courtesy an ‘own goal’. Medio Lalrempuia’s floated a long ball off a free-kick from the left into the penalty box. With no one to threaten the Bagan defence, defender Davinder headed ahead of Malsawm Kima over the ‘keeper who least expected the effort to sail over his head from the second post.
Pune FC started pushing ahead more aggressively after taking the lead. Striker William Lalnunfela forced himself down the right and cut back a cross. Haokip, then, in one motion found Nikhil whose grounder on the run went wide.
Couple minutes after the half-hour mark, Nikhil doubled Pune FC’s lead. Medio Rinte's through ball found Subasish Bose on the left. Subasish’s perfect cross across the turf was finished by Nikhil at far post after the keeper missed.
Two goals down in the first half, Bagan were only restricted to occasional counter attacks, which the Pune FC defence did well to see out.
In the final minutes of the half, substitute G. Karthik on for injured Haokip missed another easy chance. Nikhil on a solo did well to slipping a cross from the right to unmarked Karthik on the left. Controlling inside the penalty area, Karthik’s hasty effort was skied.
The defending champions went into the break with a two goal lead.
Bagan came out of their shell in the second half. Two minutes in Mayon Kaping had his grounder go wide after Adarsh set him up. At the other end, playmaker Lalrempuia’s long range striker when inches wide.
Pune FC kept on pushing ahead and created chances at will. Twelve minutes into the half, defender Henry missed a close header after Karthik did well to cross in from the right.
Midway through the half, Henry was alert to keep out Deepankar's run. Adarsh sent a through ball to Mayon on the right. A square pass aimed towards Deepankar had Henry do well to check his opponent.
Six minutes later, Mayon‘s snapshot from top of box screamed wide after a brief mix up in the defence. At the other end, Subasish did well to control left-back Denechandra Meitei’s quick throw in cut past a defender only to strike his grounder straight into the ‘keeper.
Pune FC did well to hold out with Bagan posing no major threat.