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Spirited Pune FC was unlucky not to gain points from their first away game in the I-League 2012-13 at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.
Instead, despite a dominating second half display, the 0-1 loss to Kingfisher East Bengal fails to portray the stranglehold Pune FC enjoyed over their opponents.
In the end-analysis, the Kolkata side benefitted from a Chidi Edeh (28th minute) strike off a least-expected rebound which accidentally was forced by Pune FC defender Srikanth Ramu who went to clear.
The loss meant that Pune FC slipped to sixth position on the league table after the completion of Round 3.
Pune FC took the field with striker James Moga making his debut, apart from midfielder Arata Izumi making his first League appearance this season.
The game kicked off with Pune FC penetrating the home-side’s defence with ease. Arata had the best chance in the eight minute. Winger Karma Tsewang did well to play a long ball from the right into the box. Arata with defender Naoba Singh to deal with did well to chest and turn the defender the wrong way only to end up shooting over.
For the next ten minutes, the physical nature of the game became more evident as both the team committed numerous fouls. Ishfaq Ahmed was booked for his harsh challenge on Arata.
Moga then sent in a cross for Arata from the right which was a shade long to connect.
Twenty minutes into the game, Penn Orji created back-to-back chances for the home side. First, he beat Caitano Costa on the right to gently send his chip across for Manandeep Singh and later Penn provided Chidi a similar chance. Both chances ended way off the mark.
After couple of half-chances for Pune FC, it was East Bengal who took the lead against the run of play. Defender Srikanth Ramu’s clearance rebounded off an East Bengal player. The ball fell to Chidi who got himself into the clear just when the entire Pune FC defence had moved up, before finishing with a side-footed shot past Pune FC custodian Shahinlal Meloly to the far post.
Moments later Shahinlal denied Chidi’s powerful try with a dive to his left.. At the other end, striker James Moga blasted a freekick over from 30-yards out.
The first half ended in disappointment for Pune FC as couple of decisions went against their way. Most notable was Moga being clearly brought down on the edge of the box which went unoticed.
Changing ends both sides hit the ground running. Karma eased into the box getting better of two defenders to create a chance before the defense came up with a clearance while Chidi’s shot on the counter went close.
Seven minutes into the half, Pune FC created two more close chances. First striker Jeje Lalpekhlua’s left-footed attempt at the first post from inside the box was blocked by the ‘keeper Abhijit Mondal. Then Arata’s cross in from the left bounced awkwardly for Moga to connect.
Pune FC then brought on attacking midfielder Daisuke Nishiguchi in place of Chika Wali. Moments later Jeje and Arata failed to finish after left-back Gurjinder Kumar swept in a crisp cross.
Couple of minutes later Arata found Daisuke in the clear on the left with a long ball. The Japanese then teed up Douhou Pierre after cutting in from the flank. Douhou with space let fly from 25-yards which went over.
Moga, meanwhile, ventured deep into the box and ended releasing a tad long for Jeje to connect a header.
Pune FC almost equalized in the 70th minute. Defender Srikanth Ramu sent in a long ball from the right to Jeje inside the box. Jeje did well to chest the ball down before striking a left-footed half-volley only to be denied once again by the ‘keeper.
Minutes later, skipper Douhou’s freekick was blocked by the rival custodian who once again popped up to the home side’s rescue.
Pune FC should have scored five minutes later after Moga and Jeje combined well inside the box. Moga headed down a cross in from the left to Jeje whose first attempt was blocked by the ‘keeper. The rebound fell in Moga’s path for a clear strike, but just when he was about to unleash Jeje scrambled a shot which went over the bar off a deflection.
The constant attacks led to several moments of hold-up owing to the growing anxiety of the players. East Bengal ‘keeper Abhijit Mondal was substituted as he hurt himself in the melee. Moments later Arata trying to connect a high ball sent Penn crashing. Later defender Anas Edathodika was involved in an unnecessary clash with an onrushing out-of-balance Mehtab Hossain.
Into the final ten minutes, Pune FC brought on Subash Singh in place of Karma in a bid to step things up. Subash did make an impact supplying Jeje a cross which ended wide.
The final ten minutes saw all action at the home side’s end as Pune FC continued to look for the equalizer. With three strikers upfront, Pune FC finally was done in by their finish in the final third as East Bengal throwing as many bodies behind to defend.
Into the final moments, ’keeper Shahin came up with a brilliant save grabbing the ball just before Penn could finish on a stray counter-attack East Bengal pushed forward.
