ISL 2017: Emphatic 1-4 win for FC Pune City as they trounce ATK at their home
ATK BEGAN well from the kick off, keeping the ball and adding speed to their play. ATK used both the wings and kept the Pune defence on their toes. Occasionally in the first ten minutes, FC Pune City, got the ball near the ATK box. Bipin and Prabir were doing great from the right flank. Lyngdoh in the middle took up more advanced positions.
FC Pune had spent most of the first 15 minutes defending but a mistake by Thorpe gave them sudden life. Alfaro snatched a loose pass from Thorpe and made a dash from his half to the ATK box. He pulled two defenders with him and set up a good ball for Marcelinho who was lot of space in the middle of the box. Last season’s golden boot winner made no mistake in getting the goal.
ATK continued to press even after conceding the goal. A very good chance was created by Zequinha when he took long strides with ball and launched an absolute stinger. Kamaljit found it too hot to handle and punched it. Hitesh was there to get it on goal yards from goal but could not get the ball off his feet.
FC Pune City had not created anything apart from that goal to threaten the ATK defence. The half ended on the one goal advantage to FC Pune City.
The second half, within the first 6 minutes saw two quick goals. Marcelinho brought down Zequinha near the mid pitch of their attacking half. Zequinha and Bipin stood behind the ball. Bipin went for the run, expecting him to dummy the kick but he himself took the kick. And what a beauty that was as his curling left foot left the keeper with no chance. 1-1 after 5 minutes of play in the second half. The joy of ATK was short lived as FC Pune City got a corner. Rohit met the corner and with a header and the ball was in the back of the net before anyone could react.
At the hour mark, Marcelinho was on the edge of the box, his shot was deflected by Jordi and Debjit was helpless. Pune were 1-3 up with half hour to go. Robin Singh replaced Hitesh Sharma. And the big striker had an effect soon. He unleashed a shot and it was on target but Kamaljit stood strong and saved the effort.
Alfaro and Marcelinho had a great time complimenting each other tonight. Just before the 80th minute mark, Marcelinho stole the ball in his own half and rushed forward with just one defender to beat. Alfaro started alongside him on the left side. Marcelinho squared it to him and Alfaro made no mistake to score at Debjit’s near post with ease. 1-4 the score after 80 minutes.
The last ten minutes were two tired teams trying to finish the game. It was the FC Pune City’s first win and ATK’s first loss. A good away victory after they converted all their chances while ATK failed to be lethal in front of goal
