The occasion of the match demanded a champion’s performance. First match on the home soil. With the passion to start the first home game with a thumping win.The FC Pune City boys took to the field today with a sense of confidence and authority.The match begun at a cautious speed. We created a few chances in the first 20 minutes, especially runs by Ashutosh in the right flank, but missed the attacking finish in the final third. FC Goa too, had a few chances, without really troubling Emmanuele Belardi. It was not until the 40th minute that a lobbed ball from Ivan Bolado Palacios fell sweetly onto the foot of Kostas Katsouranis. Kostas took a split second to take aim and then hit the ball with such ferocity into the back of the net, as is known of Greek war heroes. That moment of brilliance got the team its first goal of the Hero ISL. The half time ended at 1-0 to FC Pune City.The question to coach Colomba would have been whether to play slow and preserve the lead in the second half, or to continue to attack. But with the partnership of Daniele Magliochetti and Bruno Cirillo restored in the back, the coach went out strong in attacking in the second half. The lead spurred the FC Pune City players into clever run ins near the penalty box and threatening crosses into the box! FC Goa too had a few chances, notably Andros Santos hitting the crossbar with a left footed strike.It wasn’t until the 81st minute that the end result of the game could be safely predicted. A defensive lapse on account of FC Goa, resulted in David Trezeguet snatching the ball off the last defender. The master that he is, he sent the ball screming into the back of the net with a calm finish. A class act to deal the final blow on home turf!A point here about the tactical stroke by coach Colomba for today’s match! Defensive lapses in a 3-5-2 formation had cost us the previous match. A 4-4-2 in this match with Daniele Magliochetti back with Bruno Cirillo had a smoother flow to the game. Should he go ahead with this strategy? Have your say in comments.In the end, a perfect Super Sunday, with an inspiring performance by Hrithik and an explosive start to the home run by the FC Pune City players. Onward and upward from here!
