by
Pune FC came up with a cameo performance to register their biggest ever win on Sunday.
In their final group match, Pune FC hammered United Sikkim FC 6-1 for their first win of the 117th IFA Shield at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.
Victory put Pune FC on level with Deportivo Saprissa with 4 points each. However, with the Central Americans scheduled to play United Sikkim FC (0 points) on Tuesday, Pune FC’s progress to the semifinals rests on a favourable result, including goal-difference.
A USFC’s win will help Pune FC progress, but a loss with a margin of 2 goals will mean curtains. Pune FC has a +2 goal difference, while Saprissa is +1.
With a job cut out against USFC, Pune FC went into the match with purpose. Striker James Moga struck a hat-trick (27th, 64th, 78th minutes), which again was a first of sorts by any Pune FC player.
While Moga completed his heroic feat in the second half, Pune FC had striker Boima “Jerry” Karpeh (9th), defender Zohmingliana Ralte (49th) and substitute Subash Singh (87th) add to the tally, with USFC pulling one back through Paablo Rodrigues’ 25th minute penalty kick conversion.
After going close in the early exchanges, Pune FC took the lead through Jerry. The striker from the right did well to receive and control and get into the penalty box by cutting past a defender and then bulldozing past another. Once clear, Jerry unleashed a powerful left-foot past ‘keeper Rakshit.
Couple of minutes later, winger Karma Tsewang put one in the back of the net after Moga put him in the clear. However, the linesman flagged offside which seemed debatable.
Fifteen minutes on and Moga struck the post from a distance, while Sukhwinder Singh found the side netting off a second ball from long.
Midway into the the game, the opponents were rewarded a penalty after Pune FC custodian Abhra Mondal fouled the USFC striker on the long ball inside the penalty area. Striker Pablo made no mistake from the spot to level terms.
Three minutes later, Pune FC once again restored their lead. Moga did well to shield a defender before turning intelligently to create space and score.
USFC, then, had Nuruddin Salau head a cross from the left wide off target.
Pune FC’s urgency led to Moga being flagged offside a couple of times. Three minutes past the first quarter of game, Moga made way for a third goal, only to have strike partner Jerry blast over his attempt from a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.
Jerry then joined the off-side list, before Pune FC ran in spate of attacks. The closest was Vellington Rocha’s who forced a full stretched dive from the keeper.
At the other end, Pune FC defense were holding firm with keeper Abhra Mondal flapping a try over and Salau getting through for a try that went wide. At the break, Pune FC led 2-1, after a Pune FC dominated spell in injury time which had Rocha go over from the six-yard box twice.
Pune FC came out all guns blazing in the second half and increased their lead almost instantly. Jerry earned a free kick after Abhishek Das’ studs-up challenge on him. The free kick was intelligently worked by Moga who faked a shot before sliding the ball to Rocha on the run. Rocha’ss low cross into the six-yard box was smartly tapped in by an alert Ralte.
Substitute Khanthang Paite had a delivery straight into the keeper, before USFC produced their best chance through Linekar Machado which keeper Abhra thwarted. The rebound fell to Salau who headed over.
Nearing the hour, Rocha had his attempt saved. Six minutes later, Moga scored his second. Medio Velington Rocha intercepted a ball on the half line, before running the length of the pitch to earn a corner. From the corner, Rocha’s brilliant delivery was headed in by Moga.
Moga then completed his hat-trick twelve minutes from time. Karma did well to win the ball before laying off for Moga outside the box, who calmly outfoxed his marker and slotted past the ‘keeper.
Three minutes from time, substitute Subash made it a tennis scoreline. Striker Moga did well to chase down a loose ball and then beat a defender before sliding the ball past the ‘keeper to Subash who tapped in with ease.
