FC Pune City started their Hero Indian Super League Season 2 campaign in style with a 3-1 win over state rivals Mumbai City FC at the Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex in Pune on Monday. Both teams were level at 1-1 at the end of the first half and Pune coach David Platt brought on Yendrick Ruiz in place of James Bailey right at the start of the second half and the move paid off as the Costa Rican breathed life into the midfield. Pune scored two goals in the space of 12 minutes and registered a thumping win. A satisfied Platt, in the post-match conference, reviewed his decision to bring on Ruiz.

“We suffered in the first half. We played well in the second half. We were forced to make a change in the second half since we didn't have a player to change the game. The change was fortunate for us that it worked out,” the Englishman said.

“I would have liked to control the game in all aspects from start to end. We will think what we need to do. The boys need to rest. We have 72 hours to our next game. Tomorrow we train again but we train with happy faces, having got the three points,” he added.

Platt also made it clear that for him winning was more important than playing attractive football. “We didn't control the game in the first half. We would like to control our games and get the result. We would like to play attractive football but the win is more important,” he said.

Another man who made a big difference for FC Pune City was midfielder Israil Gurung who, after providing two assists, scored a goal from the right side of the pitch to make it 3-1 for the home side. “Football is competitive, when you get the chance you've to play well and prove yourself. You have to fight to keep the starting place,” Gurung said after the match.