MATCH REPORT: Pune hold on to early lead to win tough match; dethrone ATK from table top

THE EARLIEST GOAL OF THE SEASON, slotted in by Jackichand Singh, saw Punce City gain a lead over table toppers Atletico de Kolkata that they could not extend despite trying hard, while the visitors too sought in vain to find an equaliser that remained elusive to them till the very end. At the end Pune City had earned a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory.

Determined to field his strongest side against ATK, Pune City coach David Platt made five changes to the starting line-up that he used against Dehli Dynamos. Didier Zocora, Tuncay Sanli, Yendrick Ruiz, Roger Johnson and Eugeneson Lyngdoh were given a start in what is the first instance where Pune City have been able to field a full-strength squad.

Atletico de Kolkata made three changes, introducing three players back from national duty -- defenders Arnab Mondal and Rino Anto as well as defensive medio Oftense Nato.

Almost immediately after the match began Pune City were ahead. A long ball into the box that found Jackichand running in from the left and tapping it in. Rino Anto was following the ball from pretty close but failed to disrupt the move as ATK conceded an early goal before their defence had managed to settle down.

For the rest of the half ATK tried hard to control the ball and build attacks but it was Pune City who were clearly the more aggressive side whenever a chance arrived. 

14 minutes in, Rino Anto tried to make good for the defensive error he committed with a good pass to Hume who ran up the flank and sent in a cross but Arata did not get to it in time.

Later, a good cross from Javi Lara almost found Arata in a dangerous position but Dharmaraj managed to head it clear. 

Soon after, it was Ravanan again, this time delivering a long ball to Ruiz. Ruiz passed it to Tuncay who shot it way above the target.

And then Pune City were denied a clear penalty. Tuncay Sanli was clearly brought down, almost off the ball, by Borja inside the penalty box but the referee did not see it properly, adding to the long list of penalty-related blunders officials have already piled up this ISL.

Then came a period of heavy pressure as multiple Pune City players invaded ATK box twice. First time, it was Ruiz who took the shot, and Juan Catalayud punched it out. The ball went to Jackichand Singh who headed it, but Arnab Mondal made a brilliant goal-line save with his face to keep the ball out.

Feeling that the heat was on, Platt looked to turn the screw. He substituted Lenny Rodrigues with Bikash Jairu. There was little immediate effect and the half ended with Pune City sitting firmly on the 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Habas was chasing a game for the first time this season. He began by substituting Javi Lara with Gavilan. ATK tried hard to fall into a rhythm where they could move up the pitch with more impunity and create chances but it wasn't happening. Pune City almost got them from a free kick, which Nicky delivered to Johnson who set a finisher up for Sanli... but the latter shot it over.

Past the hour mark David Platt made a slightly defensive substitution, taking Jackichand off for Manish Maithani. Habas responded by making an offensive change, sending Sameehg Doutie in for Oftense Nato.

There was an opportunity. Arata ran up the left flank and sent a cross into the penalty box but it went begging. 

Then Pune were back with the attacks as Nicky Shorey sent a corner kick right into the box that Borja somehow managed to clear for another corner kick. This time, Lyngdoh delivered, and Johnson headed it down for Ravanan to finish, who shot over the bar from 6 feet away; a major shame salvaged by the linesman's offside flag.

ATK kept on trying till the very end. Doutie won a difficult ball from Shorey and set it up for Iain Hume who took the shot under pressure of two defenders descending on him. The low shot hit keeper Simonsen's right leg and went out. Simonsen was called to task once again as a Gavilan free kick swung dangerously in and he had to rush ahed and collect it.

In one last chance on the 90th minute, a corner kick came in and Borja leaped up to make the header but missed it by an inch. And that was that. Pune City had won the match and re-claimed their spot at the top of the table with 9 points from 4 matches.

David Platt will be happy with his boys; they not only conquered the last remaining unbeaten team in the tournament but also became the first team to earn a clean sheet from the defending champions. After that hiccup from the last game, Pune City were back to their full strength, and it paid off handsomely for them. They will now travel to Chennai to play their first away game of the season; a tough challenge, but their confidence will be buoyed by their exploits in the first four games.

Habas will be ruing the first goal that caught them unawares. While losing one match at this point of the tournament is not a huge blow, and ATK's performance, when put in contest, would not be too bad, especially when it comes to the defence. But being on top and unbeaten means a lot in terms of confidence. He will now have 6 days to regroup and address the concerns up front; Arata Izumi's first mediocre performance of the season for example. They will be hoping to bounce back next Friday when they face NorthEast United in Guwahati. 

Maybe that match will give ATK an opportunity to go back to the top of the table. But for now, it is Pune City who are proudly occupying the spot, with a full 2 point lead over the rest of the lot.