Arata helps Pune to hold Jeepmen

Arata helps Pune to hold Jeepmen
Mahindra Utd…1  Pune FC…1
AGENCIES
MUMBAI, APRIL 28
Arata Izumi’s strike saved the day for Pune FC as Derrick Pereira boys hold Mahindra United 1-1 in the round 23 tie of the ONGC I-league at the Cooperage ground, here, on Wednesday.
Three points was utter requirement for the David Booth boys to keep their titles hopes alive after their back-to-back defeats at the hands of Lajong and Mohun Bagan but it was Pune FC’s PIO Arata Izumi goal that put Mahindra out of the title race.
Steven Dias opened the account for Mahindra, while Arata leveled the terms for the visitors.
In the 27th minute of the game Pune FC’s Asim Hassan and Arata Izumi combined well to send the ball to Douhou but, it was well collected by Mahindra goalkeeper Subhodeep Mukherjee.
Three minutes later a Mahindra got a golden opportunity to take the lead, when Steven Dias free-kick from the right saw N.P.Pradeep’s header being palmed over the bar for a corner by Pune FC custodian Subrata Paul.
The deadlock was finally broken for the Jeepmen when Steven Dias scored off a Denzil Franco cross from the right flank. Franco started to move with Svetozar Mijin to send in a cross which saw Rafi and Subrata Paul clash. Steven Dias only had to slot the ball into the empty net which he ably did in the 38th minute to put his side ahead.
The scoreline read 1-0 in favour of the Mumbai outfit after the first half proceedings.
After resumption, Pune FC started to put pressure on their opponents and had better ball possession.
Pune FC equalised in the 58th minute when Arata Izumi slotted home the ball off a long shot from Asim Hassan.
Mahindra could have regained their lead in the last few moments of the game but couldn’t capitalise on the chances that fell in their kitty and hence had to pay for it. Pune FC custodian Subrata Paul was adjudged the Man of the Match.