Velez sold multiple dummies first of which was on the 2nd minute, as he allowed the ball go through his legs, before chasing it down to shoot. Their best chance came in the 32nd minute when Nicolas Velez, left unmarked, had a shot.
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FC Pune City first real chance came on the 41st minute when a long ball was nodded on by Yenndrick Ruiz to find Mutu whose tame effort was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
Former Portuguese worldwide Simao Sabrosa, who has been roped in by NorthEast United FC as their marquee player, will be the key as far as the visitors are concerned. Ralte tried to clear a corner by Pune midfielder Lalrempuia Fanai and headed the ball into his own post bringing to naught the good work done by the NEUFC defenders.
The match was a fast-paced one, but had few openings as the tie was mostly a midfield battle.
The River Plate youth product had a couple of opportunities to score but was denied each time, with his shot going inches wide or sidenetting. That was NorthEast’s best scoring chance. He got his negatively behind the NorthEast information superhighway later to be reigned over off-side. His shot was smashed away by Hengbart. On the other hand, it will be imperative for NorthEast United to aim for three points as two losses in a row could well be the catalyst for pressing the panic button.
What followed was utter pandemonium in the Pune City box. Their English defender Roger Johnson was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’.
Pune now moves to the top of the table with two successive wins while NorthEast United heads back to Guwahati for their home league of matches with loads of positives from this encounter. After unshackling himself, he shot tamely straight at Bracigliano. The first remained goalless with neither team doing enough to break the deadlock.
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Mutu watches the ball as he slips during match against NorthEast United FC.
