MARGAO: Federation Cup champions Churchill Brothers Sports Club were humbled by Pune Football Club 3-0 in their Group D quarter-final league match of 127th Durand Cup football tournament, at panchayat ground, Raia, Friday.
Such was Pune FC’s domination that Churchill Brothers could have lost by a bigger margin but for the prodigality of strikers as the Pune team flattened their opponents 3-0 after leading 1-0 at the break.
Pune were the superior side in both the sessions and pushed their opponents on the back-foot.
Japanese striker Sueoka Ryuji who turned predators to devour Churchill Brothers defence. Not that Pune FC were their best, it’s just that Churchill Brothers looked listless.
The visitors stamped their authority and kept Nigerian Odafe Okolie led Churchill Brothers defence on their toes.
Pune’s breakthrough came in the seventh minute when Sueoka Ryuji’s well-executed free-kick dipped into the rival penalty box and lurking striker Prakash Thorat, whose fine attempt at the goal was blocked by rival defender and the ball travelled it to Ganesh Dhanpal, who did the rest despite attempt made by rival defender Elvis Baretto to avert the danger, 1-0.
The visitors could have doubled the lead midway, had Ganesh Dhanpal shot was blocked by rival goalkeeper Sukhwinder Singh.
Churchill Brothers who were at the receiving end had a lone clear look towards the end of first half when Micky Fernandes unleashed a shot which was well taken care by Pune goalkeeepr Amrinder Singh.
With Karim Bencherifa’s men starting off where they left the opening session and in the 51st minute, they made it 2-0.
Captain Arata Izumi picked the ball from Anthony D’Souza and the former let go his left-footer that crashed into the net and kept Sukhwinder Singh under the Churchill bar dazed. Two goals up, Pune did not drop their appetite and continued to raid Churchill Brothers.
Substitute Thongkhoiem Haokip than completed the rout when he caught the entire defence napping after he picked the ball from the centre of the rival half, sprinted down and took two of rival defenders in his stride and on entering the box dispatched the ball with a deft placement to troop out worthy winners.
