FC Pune City scrape past NorthEast United to go top

FC Pune City produced another gritty performance as they overcame NorthEast United 1-0 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium to go to the top of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) table. It was another game where FC Pune City found their way to three points despite not being at their very best.
Both the managers rung in the changes with Cesar Farias making five changes to the side that went down against the Kerala Blasters. Gennaro Bracigliano, Sanju Pradhan, Francis Dadzie, Zogmingliana Ralte and Raju Yumnam all came into the starting eleven for the Highlanders.
David Platt chose to rest his hero from the game against Mumbai City FC, Tuncay Sanli and gave a start to Adrian Mutu.
The changed system seemed to work well right from the outset for the visitors as Nicolas Velez’s brilliant work in the 2nd minute, allowed him space to shoot. His shot took a wicked deflection, but sailed wide as wrong-footed FC Pune City goalkeeper heaved a huge sigh of relief.
Six minutes later, it was his opposite number Bracigliano who had to be alert as he made two crucial saves in the space of two minutes, with the latter coming from Adrian Mutu’s half volley.
But it was the visitors who were running the show a bit and Velez once again made space on the right side although a bit fortuitously but sent in drilled cros across the face of the goal which went begging as there was no body who could match up with Velez’s pace.
NorthEast almost committed suicide in the 28th minute. after Cedric Hengbart misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Adrian Mutu to set up Fanai Lalrempuia whose effort was palmed away by the goalkeeper but only for it to fall to Israil Gurung whose effort was blocked away by Cedrid Hengbart who made up for his earlier error.
Three minutes later, Lenny Rodrigues was guilty after he allowed Diamansy Kamara to dig the ball out from the byline and cut it back into the danger area. Fortunately for Rodrigues he was bailed out by Ravanan who made a crucial intervention and cleared it for a corner.
NorthEast United almost grabbed the lead from the resultant corner which was cleared half-heartedly by the FC Pune City defence. The loose ball was smashed goalwards by Reegan Singh, but Simonsen saved heroically and stopped the shot from ruffling the top corner.
The half ended goalless with both teams having their share of chances mostly from mistakes by their opponents, but neither team could quite capitalize on the errors to make a mark on the scoreline.
NorthEast had the best chance of the second half when Velez latched onto an over the top pass and attracted goalkeeper Simonsen towards him and away from his goal. Having had his angle closed by the onrushing Simonsen, Velez decided to pass it back to Kamara who virtually had an open goal to aim at, but the former Fulham man took too much time to get his shot away allowing the FC Pune City defenders to get in the way and clear the danger.
NorthEast United were eventually made to pay for their missed chances, when Ralte headed home a Lalrempuia corner in the 73rd minute to give FC Pune City a decisive lead.
NorthEast reacted well to going behind and almost instantly got back on level terms when Velez was picked out by a pass in space, but goalkeeper Simonsen did well to narrow his angle down, resulting in the Argentine to fire into the side netting.
FC Pune City did well to protect the lead as they sat back and congested the midfield area. NorthEast United struggled to find ways past the FC Pune City backline as the Punekars held on for the victory and moved to the top of the league.
David Platt didn’t seem particularly impressed by his side’s performance, but deep down he would understand the importance of these two wins. FC Pune City didn’t do great, but did enough once again and that’s a good quality to have if one is looking to win the league. There will be better days, bigger performances from David Platt’s men, but will be results like these which will make the difference in the end for FC Pune City
Feature / Interviews / Santosh Trophy
Arif Shaikh reflects on Maharashtra’s performance in Hero Santosh Trophy campaign
Arif Shaikh, the striker for Maharashtra in the Hero Santosh Trophy, in an exclusive chat with us speaks about his team’s performance in the campaign, his experience playing under coach…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Transfer round-up: Naorem to ATK Mohun Bagan, Givson Singh to Chennaiyin FC
The January transfer window of the Indian football season is nearing its end. The winter transfer window is always an exciting time period in the Indian football season, with this…
MFA Elite Division Roundup: KSA maintains lead; India Rush earns first win of the season
The MFA Elite Division saw a flurry of action over the past couple of days, with several teams securing vital wins to keep their hopes of a top-three finish alive….
MFA Roundup: Late Goals, Comebacks and Table Shuffling
A late goal helps Atlanta FC keep the winning streak intact, Silver Innings pick 2nd win of campaign, and PIFA secure a stunning come from behind win. Ambernath United Atlanta…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Emotional to be back in the national camp after so long, says Bala Devi
The city of Chennai is currently a true confluence of India’s best talents in women’s football – the National camps for both the Seniors and the Under-20 probables are running…
Number 16 for Mumbai City FC as they beat Jamshedpur FC with a thrilling come back
Mumbai City FC extended their unbeaten streak in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) to a record-breaking 16 games after an extraordinary comeback victory over Jamshedpur FC at the JRD…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Didn’t know what a passport was till my first India call-up: Sunita Munda
Hardly anyone was surprised when Sunita Munda was called for the National camp for the AFC U-14 regional championship in 2016. Even before turning 14, Munda had proved to be…
Playoffs snakes and ladders continues as Odisha FC drop out after losing to ATKMB
ATK Mohun Bagan moved back up into third place with a 2-0 victory over Odisha FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…