Thrash last year’s champions Churchill 4-1 to climb to second spot in their debut year

PUNE: A lap of honour and a goal scored by custodian very rarely happens in Indian football but it did happen at Balewadi on Thursday night when debutants Pune FC created history by going to second place in the ONGC I-League with an authoritative 4-1 win over last year champions Churchill Brothers.

Izumi Arata opened the scoring and Edmar Figueria netted a brace before goalkeeper Subrata Paul scored from spot kick in injury time to announce loud and clear ‘Who are we Pune FC’ to the Goan giants. Nigerian striker Felix Chimaokwl scored the consolation goal for the visitors.

The vociferous crowd reacted to the unbelievable win with gusto and Pune FC players returned their gesture by taking a lap of honour and throwing their jerseys into the stands. Pune FC have 41 points with a game against Dempo to go and Churchill slipped to third spot with 39 points with two games remaining.

Churchill Brothers came here low on confidence having lost to Kuwait’s Al-qadsia 1-2 to be shunted out of the AFC Cup and subsequently being held to goalless draw by struggling Mumbai FC in the I-League match. They were further dented by striker Odafe Onyeka Okolie’s absence due to suspension.

In comparison the hosts were on high with three consecutive big home wins. They were aggressive from the start to put the visitors under the barrel. The first attack came in the fourth minute from skipper Shanmugham Venkatesh and Edmar just couldn’t reach his smart cut in ball. Felix breathed under the nose of Paul four minutes later but PFC survived the scare. Venkatesh got an open ball at the top of the box but he lost footing in the 14th minute.

The attacks continued as Edmar and Dohou Sey Pierre and Arata Izumi toyed with the otherwise compact Churchill defence. The moment came in the 26th minute when Arata trapped well a long smart cross from Dohou to outsmart a defender and catch keeper’ Arindam Bhattacharya off guard. Five minutes later, Sergey Tokov’s long through ball from the centre was going straight to Bhattacharya but he surprisingly waited for the ball rather than attacking it allowing Edmar to up his right foot and tap the ball in empty goal.

Paul made a couple of saves including a threatening close header from Charan Rai. Bhattacharya who was having an awful game suddenly made an excellent save from nowhere to deny Arata his second goal after he got a free ball at the stroke of the break.

Churchill went on the offensive in the second half and came close to scoring through Reisangmi Vashum but he headed just out. Moments later, Felix shot was well saved by Paul. But Felix got one past the Pune FC custodian through a header in the 56th minute when Durga Boro released a measured cross for him from the right.

The game became much more thrilling with both sides content on attacking. Edmar twice had a chance but once was denied by Bhattacharya and the other time his shot on the turn was just over.

Pune FC survived a scare when Rai’s second attempt was just wide after Othallo Tabia made a half clearance with Paul leaving the goal empty. Churchill was again unlucky as Ogba Kalu’s shot was well saved by Paul and Vashum’s second attempt was just a touch away.

However, the hosts sealed it in the 74th minute with a lethal left footed cross from Tokov for Edmar and he jumped well to score with side header. Churchill had a last brush at goal with Vashum again but Tokov over ran him to clear the ball as Paul once again was well advance of the goal. Paul, however, got the rare moment to score when substitute Jeje lalpeklua immediately made his presence felt with a swift run inside and was fouled by Noaba Singh to concede a penalty which was taken well by Paul.

“Going to the second spot and beating last years champions is highly satisfying,” said an elated Pune FC’s coach Derrick Pereira.

RUNNERS UP?

Pune FC have 41 points and play their last game against Dempo SC in Goa on May 27. Only Churchill with 39 points in 24 games have a chance to displace PFC from second spot