MARGAO: Pune Football Club carved out a first half solitary goal victory over a spirited Vasco Sports Club to qualify for the semi-finals from Group D quarter-finals league in 127th Durand Cup football tournament, at Raia panchayat ground, on Tuesday.
The all-important goal was scored by attacking midfielder Bineesh Balan.
Pune FC who needed a draw to qualify, dominated the first half and after creating three scoring chances, broke the deadlock in the 30th minute.
Japanese Sueoka Ryuji, who took the flag-kick from the left, floated the ball into the box for Ganesh Dhanpal who relayed the ball to Bineesh and the strikers volley beat Vasco Sports Club goalkeeper Francis Fernandes.
Pune FC topped the group with six points from two matches and now take on Sporting Clube de Goa in the second semi-finals, on November 6, 3 p.m.
Salgaocar FC meet Bengaluru FC in the first semi-finals in the morning on the same day, at 8.30 a.m.
The visitors had the batter share of exchanges in the opening sessions and their Japanese striker Sueoka Ryuji was in thick in action and essayed fine passes to his forwards and also took pot shots.
Vasco Sports Club did not reach entertaining proportion and their pace was far slower and it appeared that the players are reserving fuel for the second half.
Vasco who needed a big win to qualify for the semi-finals, came with renewed ideas in the second half after failing to have a clear look at the rival goal in the first half. They could have equalized in the 50th minute when Don Bosco’s free-kick saw Amar Halarnkar’s shot blocked by central defender Mathew Gonsalves at goalline after their goalkeeper Moniruzzam Ansari was beaten.
Two minutes later, Vasco Sports Club spurn the golden chance when Pune FC defender Raju Yamunum tripped substitute Rohan Kambli inside the rival penalty box after Emmanuel Ejogu laid him a defence spiting pass and referee Tapan Ghosh pointed out the dreaded spot.
Emmanuel Ejioogu who took the penalty saw rival keeper Moniruzzaman Anasari making a diving save to his right.
Thereafter it was a midfield battle as the teams fought for supremacy and the visitors nearly increased the lead in the dying minutes when Prakash Thorat saw his shot sailed over from close after Arata Izumi did all the spade work.
Vasco Sports Club had couple of scoring opportunities but Emmanuel and Jerose Olveira blasted wide from hand shaking distance.
