FC Pune City 1-0 NorthEast United: 5 Talking Points

FC Pune City narrowly scraped past NorthEast United FC 1-0 to register their second successive win in the second season of the Indian Super League. Unfortunately for the visiting side, who showed remarkable improvement from their last game, it was an own goal by defender Zohmingliana Ralte that saw them move to the bottom of the table.NEUFC came close to scoring numerous numbers of times in the both halves, but failed to convert any of them. It was a real test of character for David Platt’s men, as the speed of Nicholas Velez and Kamara’s plays really troubled the FC Pune City defence.Pune now moves to the top of the table with two successive wins while NorthEast United heads back to Guwahati for their home league of matches with loads of positives from this encounter. Here are five talking points from the match.

#1 Rough first half for both teams

Reagan Singh of NorthEast United FC and Fanai Lalrempuia of FC Pune City in action (Image courtesy of ISL)

There were quite a few rough tackles in the match with a booking each for both clubs in the first 20 minutes itself. Silas got a yellow in the 14th minute for a cynical tackle from behind when he was robbed off the ball and tried to make amends by tracking back. The number 10 had no option but to bring Adrian Mutu down as he was in on goal.

Two minutes later Manish Maithani got Nicholas Velez down just outside the box with a bad challenge which resulted in blood dripping off the strikers chin. Manish was shown a card while Velez continued playing with a bandage strapped around his forehead.

#2 High attacking index for NEUFC in the first half

Nicolas Leandro Velez of NorthEast United FC was named the fittest player of the match (Image courtesy of ISL)

NorthEast United FC played a really calm and composed game in the first half. Compared to their first match against Kerala Blasters FC, NEUFC looked much more organized in the midfield. The defence was sharp, except for a few minor mistakes. And more importantly, they scored high on the attacking index.

NEUFC really took FC Pune City defence apart as they came close to scoring multiple times in the first half. The first great chance of the match came in the 19th minute when Velez approached a defender-less box, but he went too deep and failed to cross the ball to Dadzie who was in a really good position.

Kamara’s brilliant play across the line almost forced FC Pune City into scoring an own goal in the 30th minute while in the corner that proceeded Velez almost headed one in.

#3 Super-sub Tuncay Sanli makes Pune City more threatening

FC Pune City celebrate after taking the lead over NorthEast United (Image courtesy of ISL)

David Platt replaced marquee player Adrian Mutu with last game’s hero, Turkish forward Tuncay Sanli. This was a key moment in the game as the Turk got more fluidity into the game. 12 minutes later the home team scored their first and only goal, though off the head of a NorthEast United player.

It was a Pune City corner and the ball was swung into a crowded penalty box and it was deflected into the back of the net by Zohmingliana Ralte. NorthEast had a brilliant chance to level things back in the very next play but Velez narrowly missed the net.

Tuncay also scored a goal but was deemed offside by the linesman.

#4 Game of equal possession, Shots and Corners

FC Pune City’s Adrian Mutu takes a free kick against NorthEast United FC (Image courtesy of ISL)

It was a game of equal possession for both the teams. The home side had fractionally higher possession with 53%. FC Pune City, however, had a larger share of shots with 13 and remarkably all shots were on target.

NorthEast United, on the other hand, created more chances but had just 4 shots on target while 9 were off target. It will be something Cesar Farias will want to look into as they go back to play their next three matches at home.

Both teams also had five corners each.

#5 Story of lost opportunities for NEUFC

NorthEast United FC coach Cesar Farias has a big task ahead in the next three home games (Image courtesy of ISL)

It was a game of lost opportunities for the visiting side as even till the end they continued to attack and came close to scoring. The team showed brilliant composure and passing to break through FC Pune City’s defence time and again but couldn’t make it count with the final pass or shot. In the 84th minute Velez came very close to scoring only for him crossing directly onto the goalkeeper’s hand.

NorthEast’s form has improved a lot today and they did trouble David Platt’s boys on the night. They seem to be getting better as a team and with a host of home games lined up, their fans can only hope they register their first win of the season.