New Delhi: An impressive performance by second string Pune FC helped them to seal a place in the semi-finals of the 124th Durand Cup played at the Ambedkar Stadium, here today. Pune FC, who are missing the services of their senior players like Jeje Lalpekhlua, Othallo Tabia, Arata Izumi owing to the preparation for upcoming I-League had fielded seven under-23 players, came from behind and beat Air India 2-1 to set up last four face off with defending champions Prayag United on Wednesday.
No one would have ever imagined that Pune FC, who were 1-0 down till the 75th minute of the game would pull up such a wonderful win. Air India looked solid in the first half and they drew the first blood in the ninth minute of the game when a corner kick from their midfielder Napoleon Singh was headed in by the striker Sandesh Gadkari.
Up by a goal, Air India maintained their tight clutch on the match and kept on creating chances exerting pressure on Pune. Air India should have found the net again in the 40th when Ezeh Henry’s rebound off the Pune’s goalie Amrinder Singh, could not find a supporting striker to be eventually cleared by their defender. Three minutes later Pune FC got a real chance to equalize, when a free kick by Maninder Singh could not be converted by Leslie Fernandez as his shot went way over the post.
After the change of ends, Air India maintained their dominant run and they almost scored in the 50th minute, when Ezeh’s shot from within the box hit the crossbar. Sensing urgency of the situation Pune FC upped their ante and they finally equalized in the 75th minute of the match when former Air India midfielder Paresh Shivalkar scored a brilliantly timed goal off a Leslie Fernandez’s pass within the box.
Having got a breakthrough, Pune FC kept on mounting pressure on their opponents and eight minutes later they got the decisive goal of the match when Manipuri defender Rollingson Hungyo came in a replacement for Anas Edathodika in the half time scored off stunning low angular left footer off Duohou Pierre.
Pune FC coach Derrick Periera was happy and satisfied with the way his team played. “We played well and I am happy with the overall results. Except for the first goal we have dominated the match and kept telling them till the end that they we can pull it up. So I am happy that we won and hope to keep it up,” said the Pune FC coach.
Derrick however felt that the services of his senior players were not missed much and he justified the decision of not bringing his senior players for the Durand Cup as he is making his bench ready for the upcoming I-League. “I need to prepare my senior players for the I-League as it is very important. I don’t want my senior players to get injured before the I-League,” added Derrick.
In another match of the day,10 man Mohammedan Sporting crashed out of the tournament after they were lost 2-0 to the new look Churchill Brothers. (Beto penalty 9,Lalrindika Ralte 89)