ISL 3: Pune triumph in a seven goal thriller

by Chittu Shetty November 19, 2016

In an enthralling game, FC Pune City came out all guns blazing in the second half to douse dynamos fire as the stallions edged out 4-3 in a seven goal thriller.

A seven Goal thriller ended in Pune’s favour

After going one goal down at the end of first half courtesy of Kean Lewis strike, Pune came out with all guns blazing early in the second half as Delhi conceded 3 goals in the space of eight minutes. Although Delhi’s managed to pull things back with about ten minutes to go for normal times, Lenny Rodriguez scored his first goal in ISL in the injury time to send stallions up with two goal advantage. But the game was still not finished as moments after conceding the fourth goal, Delhi pulled one back thanks to Zaula’s strike, But in the end it was Pune who came away with all points.

Pune started with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Lenny Rodriguez, Augustine Fernandes, Raju Yumnam and Dramane Traore making way for Lyngdoh, N’Doye, Ravanan and returning Arata Izumi. Delhi, on other hand, suffering from suspension and injuries made four changes too. Doblas made way for young Soram Poirei, while Milan Singh and Badara Badji missed the bus due to maximum yellow card this season, Gadze is out injured forcing Malouda to start as striker.

Pune had an early chance when Sissoko’s defence splitting pass found Edurado open inside the box but the center back shot straight at Poirei as Pune were denied an early lead. Ten Minutes later, Delhi missed an open chance when Souvik’s through ball found Malouda one-on-one with Edel Bete but the Frenchman shot straight at the Pune Custodian.

In the 17^th minute, Delhi came close to breaking the deadlock when a wonderful worked corner resulted in Malouda setting up Memo inside the box for the final cutback but Edurado with an last ditch dive denied Delhi an opportunity to have a shot on goal.

But it was Pune who once again missed the golden chance, when a penalty was awarded for Pune for a foul on Zurdo inside the box by Kima, only for Sissoko to come up with a weak shot that was easily saved by the impressive Poirei.

In the 38^th minute, Delhi almost went in front when Marcelinho, after opening up Pune defense and with only Bete to beat, lost his footing for the final placement. However five minutes later, Marcelinho after a run into the box back-heeled smartly for Memo whose final cutback found Kean Lewis, who just had to tap in the ball to take visitors into the break with a one goal advantage.

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Lenny Rodrigues celebrates his first goal in ISL

Habas half time talk might have inspired Pune with new vigor as ten minutes after the break they were back in to the game. Anibal Zurdo soared highest to head the ball in to far corner past the diving Poirei from a Lucca’s free-kick. Six minute later, they had taken the lead when confusion inside the Delhi defence ended with the ball falling to Sissoko right in front of goal as the midfielder hammered the ball past the stranded Poirei.

Minute later Zambrotta witnessed his side crumble further when Poirei quickly threw the ball for Ruben who was unable to control it as Zurdo robbed the ball from him and unleashed a vicious shot from around 30 yards as the ball went in to make it 3-1 for Pune.

However, Delhi came back in the 78^th minute when Addy’s cross inside the box was deflected in to his own goal by Edurado on pressure from Malouda.  Pune had two further chances to finish off the game, first Lucca’s deflected shot hit the top of crossbar before going over then Lenny’s curling shot from edged of the box was well tipped over by diving Poirei.

But in the second minute of six minutes of extra time, Lenny after receiving the ball from Lucca shot past Poirei to make it 4-2 as Delhi looked well over and out of the game.

But the story was far from over, in the very next minute, Malouda’s powerful shot was saved by Bete the rebound however fell to an onrushing Zuala who struck it past the Pune custodian to make it 3-4 for Delhi. In the dying moments of the game, Delhi had a golden chance to equalize when Malouda was brought down at the edge of the box. But Pelissari’s curling free-kick disappointingly went over the bar as the Lions succumbed to only their second defeat of the campaign.

FC Pune City 4 (A. Zurdo 55′, 63′, M. Sissoko 62′, L. Rodrigues 90’+2’) – 3 Delhi Dynamos FC (Lewis 44′, Eduardo 79′ (own goal), Malsawmzuala 90’+4’)