Pune FC taste their first defeat in I-league to Sporting Clube de Goa

In the clash between two top teams of I-league at Mapusa, Goa today, Goan side Sporting Clube de Goa snatched victory by a margin of 2 goals. The home side got a great cheer by crowd during the match. The goan side could not include Boimah Karpeh in the team because of his suspension in the last match, while former Bolton striker Mustafa Riga Rahamat made his debut for Pune FC.

Sporting went for attack from the first minute, Pune started their play with only one striker Riga in front, arata and Ganesh operating from the wings behind the lone striker. Sporting created a number of chances in the first half. On the 15^th minute, Garcia’s header was saved by Pune goalkeeper. On 20^th minute, Pune FC’s central defender Angus was substituted due to injury. After that, sporting increased the pressure on opponent defence with their great midfielders.

Kalu, Arturo and Paresh Shirodkar were outstanding in the midfield. Sporting created a lot of chances down their right flank but Pune defenders somehow kept the match goalless. On the other hand, Douhou Perreira, midfielder of Pune could not show his skill during the match, and their debutant striker was so hopeless, maybe he is still not fit to reach the areal balls by the midfielders. Pune were sure missing James Meyer in this match.

During the first half, sporting players wasted a number of chances. On 41^st minute, Victorin Fernandes’ shot could not find the goal, and the next minute, Arturo’s shot came back by the post.

Kalu was replaced in the halftime due to his injury. On the 53^rd minute, the deadlock of Pune FC broke down, a great set piece movement by Shirodkar worked out well and Fernandes scored the opening goal for the home side.

On 57^th minute, a great counter attack was produced by Sporting players; fernandes was able to beat the goalkeeper but Pune defender Anas made a goal line save. Pune FC tried to come back to the game , but they failed due to any creative chances in the midfield.

The game changed when Pune goalkeeper A. Singh got his second yellow and marching orders. Anas made a huge mistake giving a back pass to Amrinder on 81^st minute, amrinder came out of the box to tackle striker and got second yellow card. As Pune FC had made all three substitutions by then ,defender Anas became the goalkeeper for the rest of the match.

On the 90^th minute, Pune FC made their only good chance in the match when arata did well in the left flank to cross, but Riga failed to convert it into a goal. On the 4^th minute of added time, paresh Shirodkar scored the 2^nd goal gor Sporting and wasted any chance of Pune fc to win.

After the match, Pune FC remains 3rs in the league table with 13 points in 6 matches, while Sporting Clube de Goa climes up to the 4^th spot with 13 points in 7 matches.