I-League: Meyer strike earns Pune FC three points, hands Bengaluru FC first defeat

Pune FC – Bengaluru FC in the i-league clash yesterday

Bengaluru FC’s hunt for a first away win continues after a 0-1 defeat to Pune FC at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune on Wednesday evening. Substitute James Meyer’s 71st minute goal was sandwiched between two saved penalties for either team as Pune FC climbed to second in the I-League table.

Curtis Osano and Pawan Kumar were handed starts after missing the last game against Mumbai FC as Bengaluru FC looked threatening in the first fifteen minutes. John Johnson had a headed attempt saved off the goalline as the visitors kept asking the Pune FC defence questions.

Pune FC slowly got a grip of the game and were handed a chance to go ahead when Johnson was charged with bringing Izumi Arata down in the box. Gurjinder Kumar stepped up to take the penalty kick but ‘keeper Pawan Kumar guessed correctly to save his second penalty in the league this far. Pune’s Douhou Pierre started calling the shots while new signing Mustapha Riga kept getting into scoring positions only to end things erratically always.

Pune FC eventually got their lead when James Meyer, who had only just come on, was picked out on the right. The Australian angled his strike perfectly, leaving Kumar no chance at all. Thoi Singh had the chance to bring alive Bengaluru FC but his attempt from a tight angle was thwarted by ‘keeper Arup Debnath who would become hero at the death.

Pune FC – Bengaluru FC from yesterday’s I-league fixture

Cutting past defenders, John Menyongar was brought down by Mumtaz Akhtar in the first minute of injury time. The Liberian stepped-up to take the spot kick but Debnath managed to get his hands on the ball that looked to have just rolled over the line but referee Ajit Datta deemed otherwise.

Pune FC moved into second spot with now 16 points from seven matches, while Bengaluru FC drop down to third place with 14 points from now eight games.