Pune FC wins the battle of professionals

Two quick strikes by the visitors in the first half and a later in the second half sealed the fate of the Round 2 game between Bengaluru FC (BFC) and Pune FC (PFC). 

BFC gaffer Westwood pulled a surprise of sort by benching Captain Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh. Young left back Lalchhuanmawia was in the starting lineup.  Also, central midfielder Joshua Walker made a comeback after sitting out the first match owing to injury. 

PFC started with all foreigners including their newly inducted player from Portugal Edgar Marcelino. 

The host made their first foray in the 5th minute from left by Keegan Perriera, few minutes later Thoi Singh’s long ranger missed the target. They forced 5 corners in the first half, but failed to take any advantage. 

Montenegrin international Darko Nikač scored in the 9th minute - a calm finish to the right corner of net after beating an offside trap. PFC struck once again through central defender 25th minute Luciano Sobrosa. 

It took no time for the BFC coach to bring Sunil Chhetri to the pitch replacing Keegan Perriera. The change impacted immediately with a couple of quick attacks.  

A good built up from center by Walker could have got host their first goal, a brilliant one-touch pass from Sean Rooney set the ball for Chhetri, but PFC keeper was there at the right spot which prevented from scoring. 
Post lemon break, BFC added power in their attack by bringing in Robin Singh for Beikhokhei.  

The score line could have read 3-0 for PFC should Thongkhosiem Haokip not missed a sitter in the 53rd minute. It was a matter of 20-odd minutes, when the tall striker from North-East scored an opportunistic goal from all the hard work that Ishfaq Ahmed did in the center.  

In the 88th minute medio Eugenson Lyngdoh pulled one back for the hosts.    

Pune and Bengaluru FC are the examples to follow in Indian Football: Kareem

Round 2 and the clash is between India’s two most professional clubs – Bengaluru FC (BFC) and Pune FC (PFC). Though both teams have failed to register a win in round 1, bet they are looking to win this game in the Hero I-League campaign!

Needless to say both teams are well prepared in this season, they played against each other few weeks ago during the Hero Federation Cup semifinal, where Bengaluru got the better of Pune in a hard fought battle. The former went on winning the cup.   

PFC has always been a tough opposition for BFC, they could not get past PFC in the last edition of I-League. Though BFC coach Ashley Westwood looked quite content with a draw against Dempo last week, he too is looking for a win.  

Westwood said, “We play every game to win, obviously PFC is a strong team, even they too play to win. Finally it would all come to who got the best formation and tactic in the day”. 

Pune is missing 3 players from their first squad, skipper Anas Edathodika, Prakash Thorat and Fanai Lalrempuia who were in excellent touch from the beginning of the season are out injured. 

PFC’s Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa assures, “We have 19 players in the squad, everyone is fit and in good form.” 

PFC is bolstered by two new foreign signings - striker Darko Nikač, Montenegrin international as a marquee player and Portuguese midfielder Edgar Marcelino who had plied his trade for FC Goa in the recently concluded ISL. However, Edgar seems to be a doubtful starter on Saturday delay to clearance formalities. 

Kareem trusts in the professionalism displayed by both clubs, “PFC and BFC are the examples to follow in India Football!”

The match between Bengaluru FC and Pune FC is slated to start tomorrow, Saturday, 7 PM, Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore.