Pune: Pune FC found the winning touch early in the season by scoring a resounding 3-1 win over Chirag United Kerala in a third round of the I-League football championship match at the Balewadi Sports Complex.
Having drawn both their opening matches, Pune FC seemed to take the same route as they did in the first two seasons, but the win took their points tally to 5. Derrick Pereira coached side will thank the efforts of Gurjinder Kumar (19th minute), Jeje Lalpekhlua (70th) and Douhou Pierre (87th). Chirag pulled one back through Charles Dzisah (75th) off a penalty-kick.
Desperate for a win after drawing first two games at home against Shillong Lajong FC (1-1) and Sporting de Clube Goa (2-2) , Pune FC started with attacking line-up with Jeje, Subhash Singh upfront and Dohou held back in the first half to support the duo from the mid-field.
It was Chirag United who first launched a shot on goal when former Pune FC player Gunasekaran Vignesh’s chip from right catching Pune goalkeeper Shahin Meloly out of place before the ball deflected out through the outer side of cross bar in the opening minutes after Australian forward Michael Matricciani fed him.
The first scoring moment for Pune came in the 19th minute when Gurjinder Kumar ran into the box from the left flank and deceived three defenders turns on the turn as they thought he will pass the ball to nearby Jeje but he rolled back to find an opening to place the ball in the far corner from 10-yards. Pune FC found sting with Subhash and skipper Arata making dangerous runs into the box along with man-of-the-match Jeje.
However, it was Pune FC who had the last laugh in the 70th minute as Dohou fondled with visitors defence at the edge of the box and found Jeje who yet again made smart turn to slot at goal and this time he was on target and Sharath had no answer to it.
Striker Vineeth CK who was lively for the visitors upfront was rewarded with a penalty after Chika Wali tripped him inside the box and Charles DZisah reduced deficit with a perfect placement in the 75th minute.
In order to defend their 2-1 lead Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira replaced Subhash with defender Othallo Tabia who unlike his right-back position played up from the right flank to push Arata in the centre and Dohou upfront with Jeje.
The ploy worked as Dohou deservedly scored a goal from near angle three minutes into the regular time, after Arata and Jeje’s effort saw Venkatesh darting in to release finisher but was blocked by Sharath. On rebound, Dohou shot struck the inner side of the cross bar and just cleared the goal line. Pune FC maintained pressure and had no need to defend their two-goal lead towards the end.