It was a must win game for Coach Colomba and his boys and you just need one stat to show the intent with which we approached the game. 21 shots on target in 90 minutes!FC Pune City had the game by the neck from the very first minute. Israil Gurung and Lenny Rodrigues made their way into the team, as did Davide Colomba. The intent was clear from the very first minute- to attack. North East FC had come here with a good record of away performances but ultimately gave in to the relentless attack by FC Pune City.The first half started with both the teams pressing well and creating chances, but none seeing the back of the net. FC Pune City started with the attacking threat of David Trezeguet and Ivan Bolado upfront and supported by the runs of Kostas. The trio found many chances in the first half, especially a shot from close range by Kostas, which was well blocked by the goal keeper TP Rehenesh. While at the other end, Arindam Bhattacharya is giving Franco Colomba enough to smile about these days, as he sprung forward from his line in a Manuel Neueresque way to stop Durga Boro from running free and scoring. While it was blink and miss action in the first half, both teams returned to the dug out scoreless.With a goal and a home win in sight, Coach Colomba made a few key tactical substitutions in the second half that changed the nature of the game! On came John Goossens and Dudu Omagbemi, and off came- captain David Trezeguet! It was a brave move, but turned out to be a brilliant one in the end! Dudu was a workhorse on the field, making runs and creating chances incessantly! If North East were to concentrate on him, they would lose track of Lenny Rodrigues, John Goossens and Davide Colomba taking shots from distance! It was all happening on the field and when Davide Colomba’s shot was cleared off the goal line, one had a feeling that Pune must strike home!And they did so in style! John Goossens had been slightly unlucky on previous occasions, but when Dudu Omagbemi took a wonderstrike at the 88th minute, it hit the crossbar John Goossens made no mistake in heading it home! The crowd went berserk, the players huddled on top of one another and coach Colomba running down the field with the enthusiasm of a 17 year old boy.And why wouldn’t they! This performance comes as a huge morale boost for the team `who are not only in the top four of the standings right now, but head to Kolkata for the next match on a high momentum!
