'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rangdajied United 3-2 Pune FC
While the five-goal thriller in Kolkata was more eventful, the one in Shillong was more significant as the hosts registered their first-ever home win and only the second victory of their debut campaign. While Pune suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time under Dutch coach Mike Snoei. The most glaring aspect of the result was the manner in which Pune capitulated while Rangdajied showed a never-say-die attitude, something they will need for the rest of the campaign, to come back from two goals down.
Trending
For about an hour in the game anything other than a Pune win looked inconceivable. Rangdajied weren’t that bad as they created chances even in the first half but were a bit naive while defending as a couple of lapses of concentration saw Pune race into a two-goal lead after 34 minutes. Former Levante and Bolton attacker Mustapha Riga opened the scoring while India international Gurjinder Kumar doubled their advantage. Pune had opportunities to kill the game off but didn’t convert them and that kept alive Rangdajied’s hopes of salvaging something from the game.
Rangdajied had fought back from 2-0 down to earn a point against Dempo earlier in the season and with all four foreigners available for the first time they had every chance of coming back in this game also. Coach Santosh Kashyap also made a couple of positive changes in the second half, bringing on David Ngaihte and Manandeep Singh. Those substitutions gave the Shillong club more options going forward and they pulled one back through former Pune FC striker Edmar Figueira. At 2-1, Pune were set for a nervy final half hour but they defended well and even created openings on the counter attack. But the Red Lizards didn’t put the game to bed and Rangdajied scored twice in stoppage time to grab a sensational win. North Korean striker Kim Yong equalised after a huge scramble in the Pune box and then with almost the last kick of the game substitute Lalnunpuia scored the winner from 30 yards to set pandemonium in the stands.
In the post-match press conference Snoei ignored the fact that his side had lost ground in the title race as he stressed on the overall development of his young squad. But the Dutchman blasted his defence and praised Rangdajied for their fighting spirit. Kashyap has always remained optimistic of survival and this win will strengthen his squad’s belief. The result also reminded everyone that just like in the EPL, there are no easy games in the I-League.
Best Players
Foreigner – Edmar Figueira (Rangdajied United)
The Brazilian made his much-awaited return from injury and started Rangdajied’s incredible second-half comeback with a lovely strike from just outside the box against his former club. If Edmar is fit and firing, Rangdajied have every chance of avoiding relegation.
Indian – Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
The Indian captain struggled to score earlier in the season, mainly because he was playing on the left flank but has now netted eight goals in seven appearances for club and country. Never has an Indian finished top scorer in I-League history but maybe Sunil will change that this season.
Controversy
Mohammedan Sporting’s results may not have been great on their return to the top flight but they have consistently featured in this column as their matches have been disrupted by mismanagement and crowd violence. Their fans went completely berserk during and after the game against Bengaluru and it could have been worse as players of both sides narrowly escaped injuries. They are set for another hefty fine but maybe a stricter punishment will be necessary to avoid such mishap in future matches.
The Table
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | GD |
| Bengaluru FC | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 27 | +11 |
| Sporting Clube | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 21 | +4 |
| Pune FC | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 21 | +6 |
| Shillong Lajong | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 20 | +1 |
| Salgaocar | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 0 |
| United SC | 13 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 18 | -1 |
| East Bengal | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 15 | +4 |
| Mohun Bagan | 13 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 15 | 0 |
| Mumbai FC | 13 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 15 | -1 |
| Mohammedan Sporting | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 13 | -2 |
| Dempo | 13 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 13 | -4 |
| Rangdajied United | 13 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 11 | -10 |
| Churchill Brothers | 12 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 7 | -8 |
