Kochi: Pune FC made their intentions for the season clear as they thrashed Chirag United Kerala 3-0 in a Round 22 of the I-League 2011-12 at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi on Sunday (April 1).

The victory powered by first half goals from Keita Mandjou, Singam Subhash Singh and Arata Izumi pushed them to 40 points and to the third spot in the League standings while Chirag languish at 17 points.

The visitors set the sails running very early into the game as Keita Mandjou helped by an assist from the left by Subhash Singh scored the opener of the day in the fifth minute. The Guinean forward did nothing wrong to slash the ball into the back of the net.

Pune did not sit back after taking the lead and they shook the net against an unsettled and uncertain Chirag United Kerala a minute later -- this time it was Keita who turned provider and Subhash Singh, the scorer.

2-0 down with just six minutes on the clock, Chirag players looked to have already conceded the game to the Pune outfit. Their attacks lacked precision and their goalmouth was tested time and again by the opponents. Former Chirag Kerala player Karma Tsewang and Ivorian Douhou Pierre were exceptional in creating chances for Pune FC’s frontline.

Pune went further ahead in the 39th minute as Japanese born midfielder Arata Izumi planted a shot in the back of the net from inside the Chirag box, making it a result to get over soon for the Chirag Kerala players.

A terrible first half seemed to have taken the fire out of the home side and Pune FC were happy sitting back and defending clear the chances created by Chirag in the second half.

Chirag had a lot of possession in the second half, but couldn’t convert much of it into goal scoring opportunities, much in contrast to their previous two games which they won almost comfortably.
In the 73nd minute, a header from Chirag’s forward David Gadimoh Sunday hit the crossbar, but that was the only clear cut chance they created in the game.