Pune FC put on a second half show in a 5-0 drubbing of PIFA Colaba in the U-19 I-League

by Kaushal Shukla January 24, 2015

Pune FC U-19 ran riot in the second half against PIFA Colaba U-19 as they turned a 0-0 scoreline at half time into a 5-0 thrashing in a Maharashtra Qualifying zone of the U-19 I-League at Cooperage on 23rd January 2015.

Pune FC U-19 came into the game knowing a win would seal their progress to the next round and having thrashed today’s hosts in the reverse fixture, Pune FC were the favorites to leave Mumbai with all three points. PIFA Colaba U-19 on the other hand were still looking for their first win of the competition, and only had pride to play for apart from avoiding the embarrassment of finishing last in the group.

The first half had a good tempo to it and the hosts were able to match their visitors for majority of the opening exchanges. Pune FC however began to take control of proceedings and putting pressure of PIFA Colaba who still had the wounds from last time’s meeting with Pune FC fresh.

As the game crossed the half hour mark, the hosts started believing in themselves and came close to taking the lead in the 30th minute through a set piece. But it was the visitors who ended the half on the front foot.

Arif Shaikh was played in on goal in the 40th minute, but he could only manage to send his shot wide. It was a great chance for the visitors to go in front. They nearly did so a minute later when they hit the crossbar.

Pune FC were beginning to string together some nice moves and the best of which nearly resulted in the opening goal for Pune FC when Myron Mendes broke free into the PIFA box after a beautifully crafted move from the visitors, but his shot was crucially saved by the PIFA Colaba goalkeeper, to ensure his side head into half time level.

It was the visitors who had the better of the first half, but hosts PIFA Colaba did have their moments especially as they got some joy from set piece situations.

Pune FC came storming out in the second half pegging PIFA Colaba deep into their half. Pune’s Arif Shaikh nearly gave them the lead when his header from a Prakash Sarkar cross went inches over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Pune FC made the breakthrough after Farukh Choudhary did well to latch on to a long ball as he was through on goal to lob over the PIFA goalkeeper to put the visitors in front.

The goal seemed to have opened the floodgates as Pune doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute after they were awarded a penalty which was coolly converted by Myron Mendes.

Pune FC were peppering the PIFA Colaba goal as PIFA were hanging on to stay alive in the game. Pune FC had many chances to extend their lead but some wayward shooting form their front men meant the score remained 2-0 as we entered the final twenty minutes.
Pune FC though made their dominance count, adding a third goal in the 71st minute, thanks to a cracking effort from Altamesh Sayyad from twenty five yards. It was a brilliant finish from the Pune FC midfielder.

PIFA’s night turned from bad to worse as the PIFA goalkeeper rushed off his line, but failed to collect allowing Farukh Choudhary to get his second of the game as he put the ball in the empty net to make it 4-0 in the favor of the visitors just a minute later.

PIFA Colaba changed their goalkeeper and he was involved straight away as he came long way off his line to block a goal bound effort. The rebound fell kindly to a Pune FC offender whose shot was heroically blocked by the PIFA Colaba defender in the 80th minute.

Two minutes later Pune FC scored again with Altamesh Sayyad getting on the act again as Pune were among the goals yet again at Cooperage.

PIFA Colaba avoided further embarrassment as. they stopped a relentless Pune FC from adding another one as referee blew for full time.

Pune FC produced a brilliant second half display as PIFA Colaba failed to live with them. The win eliminates Kenkre FC and takes Pune FC to the top of the Maharshtra Qualifying Zone table of the U-19 I-League.

PIFA Colaba remain bottom after their fifth defeat of the competition.