Eugeneson lyngdoh scored a last-gasped goal to help FC Pune City beat Mumbai City FC 1-0 to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the Indian Super league football here on Thursday.
lyngdoh, playing for the first time for Pune this season after turning out for Bengaluru FC in AFC Cup final, struck the match-winner in the 89th minute at Mumbai Football Arena in a game which saw both the teams stonewalling each other's attacks for the most part.
Mumbai goal-keeper Albino Gomes came out of his line to collect a Narayan Das cross from the left but he fumbled and the ball fell on lyngdoh who had all the time in the world to bulge the net.
Despite today's loss, Mumbai are still at the second spot in the league table with 15 points from 10 matches while Pune are at fourth with 12 points from nine matches.
Mumbai were the stronger team off the blocks as they tried to feed their strikers with long balls but the visitors were equal to the task and averted any danger.
The home side soon suffered a blow as leo Costa had to limp off with a groin injury and Thiago Cunha was brought on. The change almost paid dividends with Cunha setting up Sehnaj Singh off an Edel Bete fumble but the youngster put his shot over the bar.
Cunha continued the good work with a dangerous cross but Matias Defederico failed to reach it. Minutes later, Cunha again headed it to Forlan but Bete was on hand to collect the ball. Mumbai continued piling on the pressure as Defederico took a crack on goal but Bete again pulled out an excellent diving save to keep it 0-0.
At the other end, Mohamed Sissoko combined with Rahul Bheke brilliantly quite a few times but they failed to break down the Mumbai backline.
The game slowed down as Sunil Chhetri, who is also playing for the first time for Mumbai this season after doing Bengaluru FC duty, and Diego Forlan indulged in some sublime one-touch football but a goal still eluded them as both teams headed into the tunnel at half-time goalless.
The second half began with Pune introducing lyngdoh for Dramane Traore. Mumbai continued dominating the game with Chhetri, Aiborlang Khongjee, Defederico all trying their luck. But they either shot wide or were simply blocked off by the resilient Pune defence.
Goa, NorthEast face off
New Delhi: FC Goa are seeking inspiration from their first season when they qualified for the semi-finals of Hero Indian Super league despite all odds.
FC Goa are at the bottom with seven points after nine matches but they have not given up on hopes of qualifying as they take on NorthEast United FC in a 10th round encounter at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda-Goa, on Friday.
"Football provides with the inspiration. In football we see everything. In the first season, we were at the bottom of the table but we won six games and qualified with one round to spare. I am not saying that surely we will do it again but we will do everything to make it happen. It still depends entirely on us," said FC Goa assistant coach Vannucci Fernando during the pre-match media interaction.
Goa lost their last match 1-2 against Kerala Blasters after taking the lead and two of their players, captain Gregory Arnolin and Richarlyson Felisbino, sent off. They will both miss the game and the team also has injury concerns to take care of. Vanucci, however, remained calm and said whoever takes the field will strive to give his best for the team.
"It doesn't matter who plays. Whoever is there, we will try to win and get the three points that we need," said Vannucci.
Just like FC Goa, NorthEast United also need the three points to work their way among the top four and fight for a place in semi-finals. In the last game, NorthEast United suffered their third consecutive defeat at home against Mumbai City FC and coach Nelo Vingada made it clear they need three points to take away from Goa.
"According to the situation that we are in, this is a crucial match for us. We started the league well but this is football. After a few games, even when we lost, we were performing well but in the last game we were not at the level that I expected," said the Portuguese coach.
"We are working hard to give another image of our team, so it's important to win. Goa will be missing some player. As a coach, I want the best for NorthEast United. I want my team to beat the best with good football but I want all players to play for Goa, so also for my team. Some of my players cannot play due to injury and suspension," said Vingada.
North East United FC are placed fifth with 10 points from eight matches. They had collected six points from their first two matches but have since then not lived up to expectations.