Mehta, who played for Pune City a year ago, nearly set up the second goal in the 40th minute when he used his pace to collect a through ball on the right, escaped a sliding tackle and passed the ball to Juan Aguilera, who was waiting in the middle. He scored a similar goal in the second half too. Just when Mumbai looked to take control of the match, against the run of play Pune struck to take the lead.
Advertisement
Mumbai responded well with a few attacking football and they levelled things up in the 34th minute, thanks to Piquionne. The nail in Mumbai’s coffin came 12 minutes later, when Gurung, in acres of space on the right, floated in a cross which confounded goalkeeper Albino Gomes and went in at the far post. Zokora had done the same five minutes earlier – two moments which highlighted Pune’s calm, composed and measured approach to the game.
Mumbai kept on attacking, but failed to convert the chances.
Mumbai pressed hard for the equaliser and came close to scoring, as Winger Sanju Norde hammered one towards the goal only to hit the bar. Mumbai, who were playing five midfielders, were not sharp enough in the final third as chances after chances went in vain.
Sanli’s hopes of getting a hat-trick where dashed as manager David Platt substituted him in the 61st.
The hosts continued from where they have left as they contined to attack down the wing with Gurjinder Singh and Nicholas Shorey made overlapping runs.
It was Gurung again who provided the cross for Sanli to put Pune in front with a diving header.
Tuncay found his second goal 10 minutes after the break with Gurung providing his second assist for Tuncay to score with a diving header.
On the other hand, being led and coached by French football great Nicolas Anelka, Mumbai received extra momentum when they bagged Indian captain Sunil Chhetri in the players auction. While a crowd of over 8000 had gathered in the tiny but picturesque stadium in the outskirts of Pune to see the marquee players in action, it was the diminutive Israil Gurung that added the spice to this Maharashtra derby.
Advertisement
Pune’s next clash is with NorthEast United FC at home on Friday while Mumbai face another tricky away contest against Kerala Blasters FC on Saturday.
