Kolkata: Pune FC played out an exciting goalless draw by Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa S.A.D. in their second match of the 117th IFA Shield at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Thursday.
In fact, Pune FC were 'unlucky' to be denied a goal scored by striker Subash Singh in the second half, with the linesman and referee flagging the player offside.
The draw earned Pune FC their first point in the tournament and need to await the fate of other results in the group to determine their hopes of progress. Pune FC, themselves have a game in hand against United Sikkim SC.
The result also meant that Pune FC kept their unbeaten record against foreign opposition in the IFA Shield intact. Earlier, Pune FC had defeated AS Douannes, Senegal.
In a game of equal exchanges, Saprissa managed to go close in the opening minutes. But it was Pune FC who created the first real chance of the game. Striker Subash cut past the Saprissa defense and with space let fly from 20-yards only to find the ‘keeper with his low power shot.
Pune FC dominated the possession as Saprissa kept going ahead on counter attacks. The Pune FC defense was alert throughout while thwarting several counters from their opponents.
The Saprissa backline were kept bus by Pune FC as they kept on pumping in the ball from various places. Defender N. Mohanraj was constantly in action as his long throws were causing lot of trouble.
Six minutes after the half-hour mark striker James Moga failed to put the ball into the net after his header on one such long throw went agonisingly wide. Minutes later the striker failed once again after his attempt on a quick freekick from the right went over.
A minute from the break, winger Velington Rocha on a solo, cut in on the left and took a crack from 30-yards which went narrowly over.
Both teams went into the break failing to open scoring.
The second half began with Saprissa pushing forward from the word go. Defender Anas Edathodika was alert as he cleared couple of long balls into the box. Saprissa forward Keysher Fuller Spens was causing problems on the right but was kept in check by the defense.
At the other end, Pune FC created the best chance of the match ten minutes into the half. Winger Karma Tsewang on a counter, produced a diving save off Saprissa ‘keeper Douglas Espinoza with a shot from a narrow angle.
Ten minutes later Pune FC missed another chance as Subash hit wide after skipper Douhou Pierre set him up. Three minutes later, Mohanraj’s long throw in had the ‘keeper Douglas flap and the defender’s crisp cross moments later had Douglas tip over once again.
A minute later, Chika Wali’s low header of Rocha’s corner bounced over after he did well to connect it. Seconds later, Subash put one into the net only to be flagged offside. The decision seemed debatable.
Midway through the half, Fuller had an excellent chance to open scoring after he got into the clear. His attempt though was brilliantly saved by Pune FC ‘keeper Abhra Mondal.
Five minutes from the final whistle, substitute Khanthang Paite almost gave Pune FC the lead only for Saprissa ‘keeper Douglas to pull off another brilliant save.
Pune FC thereafter survived a late flurry of Saprissa attacks in the dying moments of the game keeping the scorline unchanged.