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Pune FC went in with a mission and walked clear with a 2-0 win over Pailan Arrows in an I-League 2012-13 Round-5 encounter at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Friday.
The victory is Pune FC’s first away win of the season and the third of in their ongoing campaign.
For Pune FC midfielder Karma Tsewang (11th minute) and striker Subash Singh struck in either half to enable their side swell their points tally to 9. The result, thus, helped Pune FC leapfrog into provisional third place on the league table.
Pitted against opponents who have been unbeaten in the season so far, Pune FC thus ended the AIFF developmental side’s hopes of extending the run to ten matches.
Going into the game on the back of two successive losses in a row, Pune FC almost went into the lead in the second minute. Striker Subash Singh, lurking dangerously in the opponents backline, capatalised on a defender’s back header to custodian Soram Poirei.
Arrows settled in and weaved in a couple of moves which hardly mattered Pune FC. Ten minutes on striker James Moga sent wide a free-kick earned by Karma.
In the next minute, Pune FC took the lead through winger Karma. From another freekick on the left, Moga did well to draw two defenders away from his teammate Subash, who in turn headed the ball to Karma. The winger smacked home from close range.
Building on their confidence, Pune FC had Moga find the side netting after beating the Arrows goalkeeper Poirei. At the other end defender Anas Edathodika stood up to keep out a penetrative move by Arrows.
Changing ends, Pune FC doubled their advantage moments into the half with both strikers combining to good effect. Moga headed down a long ball for an onrushing Subash, who finished from the top of the box.
Around the hour mark, Moga, once again, on an excellent run found his shot blocked, despite having option on either side.
Minutes later, Daisuke Nishiguchi on a counter sent Subash in the clear after he and Moga provided options for the midfielder. Subash, utalised the opportunity to get a shot on target which ended blocked.
Arrows striker Holicharan Narzary, with some fancy footwork tried to push into the Pune FC box. Defender Srikanth Ramu timely blocked the striker, but the ball rolled out to an opponent whose first time shot was blocked by keeper Shahinlal Meloly.
The ensuing corner-kick saw Shaihin pull off a brilliant save to nullify the only threat the opponents made during the match.
Pune FC then brought on Chika Wali for James Moga into the midfield and pushed Douhou Pierre up. The Pune FC skipper’s new role saw him partner Jeje Lalpekhlua, who replaced Subash.
Moments later, Chika combined with Douhou who sent in a cross for Jeje but had Poirei evade the situation.
Later, in the four minutes, defender Anas came up with a brilliant interception to deny the home side a chance of a comeback. Two minutes later substitute Nikhil Kadam (on for Daisuke) found Douhou whose first-time effort was blocked.
