Half Time Report: Dull half at Balewadi as Pune and Chennai go through motions

Starting Line-Ups:

FC Pune City - Steven Mendoza, Govin Singh, Roger Johnson, Gurjinder Singh, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Nicky Shorey, James Bailey, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Fanai Lalrempuia, Adrian Mutu, Yendrick Ruiz

Chennaiyin FC - Apoula Edel, Dhanachandra Singh, Alessandro Potenza, Mailson Alves, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Manuele Blasi, Thoi Singh, Elano, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Stiven Mendoza

A LAID BACK HALF saw Pune City and Chennaiyin FC create few real chances as the scoreline read 0-0 at half-time.

David Platt made 5 changes to the side coming into the last match of the year for Pune; Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Yendrick Ruiz, Gurjinder Singh, Fanai Lalrempuia and keeper Steve Simonsen came into the squad. Materazzi, seeking a top-4 spot for Chennaiyin FC, brought back Elano, Mauele Blasi, Harmanjot Singh Khabra and Mailson Alves into his first eleven. 

The contest was more or less even throughout the first half and pressure of the occasion showed on both sets of players. Early on Adrian Mutu made inroads into Chennai box and Edel managed to keep it out. Then Mendoza invaded the other end and Simonsen punched the ball away.

The teams took their time, refusing to rush themselves, as they waited for the other side to make a mistake. 

James Bailey picked up an elbow knock half an hour into the game and Platt replaced him with Wesley Verhoek. 

Soon after, Elano lofted a ball in from the right flank for Thoi Singh who failed to reach the cross. 

Some back and forth continued, with attacks mostly getting cut off in the midfield. There were few threatening attacks. Other than one towards the end when Elano managed to run a few paces, into the Pune box but an agile Simonsen kept the ball out.

The dull half ended with the scoreline reading 0-0. Pune City players aren't eager to over-exert themselves in a meaningless match and a draw is enough for Chennaiyin FC to enter the semi-finals so they are taking it slow as well.