MARGAO: Pune Football Club scraped past Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 to set up a title clash against Salgaocar FC in the final of 127th Durand Cup football tournament at Raia ground, on Saturday, at 3 p.m.
The match was tied 1-1 at the interval. The opening session was a dull affair as the teams took time to get into the rhythm.
The opening goal for Karim Bencherifa’s side came against the run of play in the 20th minute when right half Fanai Lalrempuia send a beautiful cross to left winger Binesh Balan, who unleashed a volley which beat the Sporting Clube goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh hands down.
Thereafter, the visitors stamped their authority in the game and kept the rival backline on their toes. Immediately, Pune FC could have doubled the lead but Japanese striker Sueoka Ryuji’s pile driver miss the mark narrowly.
Karim’s men created one more gilt-edged chance but Captain Azumi Arata feeble shot went straight into the safe hands of rival goalkeeper Kamaljit.
Sporting Clube de Goa equalizer came in the 31st minute when striker Boima Karpeh left-footed drive beat the Pune FC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh after Augustine Fernandes laid him on the platter.
In the 33rd minute, defender Joyner Lourenco moved upfront and fired a long ranger but was well taken care by Pune FC goalkeeper Amrinder.
After changing ends, Pune FC started off from where they had left in the first half. A lot was expected from Sporting Clube de Goa new recruit Anthony Wolfe, after the break but he lacked the balance, imagination to trouble the rival defence.
The Pune FC match-winner came in the 62nd minute when rival defender Joseph Clemente fouled rival captain Azumi Arata outside the rival penalty box and referee Rahul Gupta awarded the free kick. The resultant free taken by Japanese striker Sueoka eluded both the defence and goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh with loud cheers from Pune FC bench.
The Flaming Oranje continued testing their fortune with below scoring rate. With time running out, Sporting Clube de Goa paid the price by muffing spot kick after their captain Boima Karpeah was brought down by rival defender Zhomingliana Ralte and referee without any hesitation awarded the dreaded shot. Anthony Wolfe, who was entrusted with the spot-kick, was saved by Pune FC goalkeeper Amrinder.
Pune FC coach Karim Bencherifa hailed his boys for their marvellous performance. “We have young side and worked in our strength and got the desired result, he added.
In the morning semi-final, former champions Salgaocar FC shunted out Bengaluru FC 5-4 via the tie-breaker after both the teams were involved in a goalless draw in the 120 minutes.
The I-League Champions Bengaluru FC have themselves to blame for the debacle as they dominated the contest. The profligacy of their strikers should have sealed the match especially in the second half. They created gilt-edged chances but the Salgaocar FC custodian Karanjit Singh denied them with some good saves.
The visitors had the upper hand in both the sessions. The Bangalore team had the better share of the offensive exchanges. Substitute Augustine Fernandes and Nicolau Colaco came to their side’s rescue when duo effected goalline saves as their opponents went all out to seal the rival fate in the normal period.
With the teams remaining goalless draw at the end of normal period, extra time also failed to produce the deadlock and tie breaker were applied to resolve the impasse.
In the ensuing penalty shootout, Gilbert Olveira, Rochus Lamare, Darryl Duffy, substitute Zakeer Mundampara and substitute Nicolau Colaco were in target for Salgaocar FC while Joshua Walker, John Johnson, Evgeneson Lyngdoh and substitute Udanta Singh converted for Bengaluru FC. Sunil Chettri’s spot kick was saved by Salgaocar FC goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.
Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira was a happy man with the victory.
“Bengaluru FC is the I-League champion and beating fitter side is a good sign. No doubt, we survived some anxious moments. It was our keeper Karanjit Singh along with the defenders, who denied the visitors the win.”
“Kudos to Karanjit, who the saved the Sunil Chettri’s penalty, which helped us to register the win,” stated Pereira.
