press trust of india
Pune, Oct 9: Pune City FC maintained a clean sheet by recording their second consecutive win with a solitary goal victory over NorthEast United (NEUFC) in an ISL-II match here Friday.
Pune emerged victorious courtesy an own goal from Zohmingliana Ralte in the 73rd minute of the keenly- fought match at the Balewadi Stadium.The match was a fast-paced one but had few openings as play was mostly a midfield battle. The home side had the edge there with Ivory Coast international Didier Zokora putting up an impressive display.
The first 45 minutes had very few shots at goal and the goalkeepers of both sides did not have to make any saves. The best chance of the half fell to Pune marquee player Adrian Mutu but the Romanian striker took it with his weaker foot (left) and the shot lacked power. On the other hand NEUFC made some speedy runs but ran out of ideas once they got close to the opposition box.
At the stroke of half hour, Pune had another go at the opposition goal with Israil Gurung taking a shot from inside the box but Ralte blocked it. Few minutes before that Sanju Pradhan of NEUFC shot wide when he found himself in the clear.
The second half was livelier with NEUFC pressing for a goal. In the 56th minute, Diomansy Kamara blasted the ball wide off the target after he was put in the clear by Nicolas Velez.
Pune’s fortunes changed with the introduction of last match hero Tuncay Sanli in the 61st minute in place of Mutu. The Turkish international added spark in the Pune attack and he was in the thick of things. They got the goal when Ralte trying to clear a Lalrempuia corner deflected the ball into his own net.
