Pune FC impress in 100th I-League game; pip ONGC

New Delhi: Pune FC made their 100th I-League game commemorative with a 1-0 win over ONGC FC in Round 24 at Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi, on Sunday.
 
Striker James Moga (45+3rd) was the architect of this landmark encounter and enabled Pune FC return to winning ways which swelled to a dozen.
 
The victory pushed Pune FC (40 points) into third place on the league table and also logged their first ever win over ONGC in New Delhi. Moreover, this was the third instance Pune FC completed a double-leg win over opponents. The other opponents include Mumbai FC and Dempo SC respectively.     
 
Pune FC Coach Derrick Pereira went into the game effecting five changes to the playing eleven that played in Goa. In the goal, Amrinder Singh replaced Shahinlal Meloly; in defence N Mohanraj (for Gurjinder Kumar); midfielders Velington Rocha (for Khantang Paite), Arata Izumi (for Sukhwinder Singh), Mumtaz Akhtar (for Jeje Lalpekhlua).
 
The game began in explosive fashion with action at both ends inside the opening minute. ONGC striker Eric Brown tried a pot shot within seconds, but it deflected straight to Pune FC ‘keeper Amrinder Singh who was making his first start.
 
At the other end, Pune FC’s fast-paced counter-attack was saved. Moga got on to left-back N. Mohanraj's long ball only to be denied TP Rehenesh who pulled off a save.
 
Minutes later, medio Arata Izumi’s dangerous cross inside the box was cleared followed by winger Velington Rocha’s attempt which was blocked.
 
ONGC then had Eric send his free-kick wide from a dangerous narrow angle, which followed with ‘keeper Amrinder Singh cutting off Eric’s delivery into the box.
 
Pune FC were pushing forward and were unlucky not to take the lead. Winger Karma Tsewang’s attempt from narrow angle whizzed past the 6-yard box with no takers. Midfielder Mumtaz then tried his luck from distance but went over.
 
A minute past the quarter hour mark, Pune FC missed a sitter. Rocha's brilliant inswinging free kick was headed across by defender Chika Wali from the far post and Moga somehow headed it wide from half a yard outside.
 
Five minutes later, ONGC defender Hasan Odeola took a crack from distance straight into Amrinder. At the other end Moga’s low attempt on the freekick earned by Mumtaz went wide.
 
Two minutes before the half-hour mark, Mohanraj's long throw once again caused danger, as Moga's flick was attempted by Rocha, whose second attempt ended blocked.
 
Minutes past the half-hour mark, Rocha lost the ball up the right leading to a counter into Pune FC’s penalty-box, first with Kailash Patil and then Jatin Bisht shooting. The first attempt was blocked by defender Anas Edathodika, while the second going over.
 
The Pune FC defense kept on living dangerously. First, Anas lost the ball in defence only for Yusa Katsumi failing to capitalize. On the resulting corner, Amrinder cleared the ball out. The second ball into the box, later, attempted by Yusa, was collected by Amrinder.
 
Pune FC, finally, took the lead three minutes into first half injury time. A brilliant counter ball into space saw Douhou in the clear and attack the space in the penalty box. There he cut back for Moga who slotted home on the volley.
 
Pune FC took their one goal advantage into the breather.
 
The Reds began the second half same way as they ended the first almost scoring a second. Karma found Douhou up the channel, whose cut back deflected off 'keeper onto post and was cleared.
 
At the other end, Pune FC survived a close call. Eric's cross from the left found substitute Lalmuan Puia in the box, but his touch from the 6-yard box went wide.
 
The game turned into a physical battle thereafter with many players getting booked.
 
At the hour mark, Pune FC created back-to-back chances. Moga went wide after being put through by Othallo. Then, off the next move Arata shot narrowly off target when ball fell for him on top of the box.
 
Ten minutes later, Pune FC held on two dangerous diagonals into box by ONGC. Luckily, Yusa failed to connect cleanly and capitalise.
 
Pune FC then survived an ONGC onslaught in the final minutes as they held on to their slender lead. Substitute Boima “Jerry” Karpeh, on for the goal-scoring James Moga, found his attempt on a counter saved by Reheneesh.