FC Pune City registered their third win in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 after beating FC Goa 2-0 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune on Tuesday.

  • Marcelo Pereira scored his third goal of the season with a stunning effort from distance.
  • Substitute Marko Stankovic sealed the victory in injury time from the spot.
  • The victory takes Pune above Kerala Blasters FC in seventh place.

The match began on an even note with both sides battling it out in midfield. We had to wait until the 17th minute before the first chance was created. Iain Hume released strike partner Marcelinho with a stunning through ball down the centre of the pitch. Mohammad Nawaz rushed out of his goal to stop the impending danger, but Seriton Fernandes made a brave lunging challenge to ensure the goalkeeper was not needed.

A few minutes later, Goa could have broken the deadlock had it not been for some stunning goalkeeping by Kamaljit Singh. From a corner, Adil Khan inadvertently headed the ball in the direction of his own net. However, Kamaljit produced a brilliant double save to ensure the score line remained the same.

Goa would create the best chance towards the end of the half through a sweeping team move. A fine cross from Mandar Rao Dessai down the left flank found Ferran Corominas inside the penalty box. Corominas set up midfielder Edu Bedia, who fired a first-time shot that cannoned off the crossbar before running out of danger.

Bedia came close to finding the back of the net again a few minutes into the second half when his free-kick from 25 yards out narrowly missed the top corner. As the half progressed, goalkeepers of both sides produced brilliant individual saves. First Kamljit kept out Ahmed Jahouh’s stinging long-range drive with a strong hand.

Pune broke on the other end of the pitch in the next minute when Marcelinho found himself one on one with Nawaz. However, the youngster pulled out a stunning one-handed save to deny the Brazilian with a prime contender for save of the season.

Given the form of both keepers, something special was required to break the deadlock. And Marcelinho provided exactly that in the 74th minute when his powerful drive from distance proved to be too strong for Nawaz.

Goa could have equalised almost instantly when Jahouh found himself free in space on the edge of the Pune box. His shot, however, smashed the upright before going out of play. Pune then defended resolutely before sealing victory in added time from the penalty spot. Substitute Stankovic – who was brought down by Mohamed Ali – stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to seal the much-needed three points.

Hero of the Match - Marcelo Perreira

Pune’s star striker huffed and puffed, before ultimately getting his deserved goal on the night. His smart movements down the channels as well as his ability to create havoc with his left-foot, made him a constant threat to the Goa backline. He was deservedly awarded the Hero of the Match.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award – FC Pune City

Swift Limitless Player of the Match – Ahmed Jahouh

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Sarthak Golui

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Kamaljit Singh

Hero of the Match – Marcelo Pereira

What’s next?

Pune will resume action when the second half of Hero ISL kicks off next year, while Goa will play their final match before the break at home against NorthEast United FC on December 14.

Watch the match highlights here:

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Related tags:

FC Goa 2018-2019Match Report