Pune FC rode on India international Jackichand Singh’s second minute strike to snap defending champions Atletico de Kolkata’s unbeaten run with a 1-0 win and jump to the top of the Indian Super league standings here on Saturday.
The game got off to a lightning start with Jackichand capitalising on a long ball into the ATK half and finishing first time with his left foot past goalkeeper Juan Calatayud to put the home side 1-0 up with just 76 seconds on the clock.
With nine points from four matches (three wins and a loss), Pune leapfrogged ATK on top of ISl table, pushing down the defending champions, who suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, to second spot. ATK now have seven points from four matches.
Calatayud was a busy man throughout the match and was called into action a minute later to save from a long range effort by Costa Rican Yendrick Ruiz.
The home side were firmly in control in the opening stages as Kolkata struggled to get on the ball. Pune could have doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute but Tuncay Sanli blazed over the bar with his left foot. ATK’s defence somehow kept it at 1-0 at the break.
The game resumed with Pune maintaining their first-half dominance and attacking Atletico’s goal. Sanli once again fired over the bar after running onto a knock down from a Pune free-kick. With 10 minutes of play left, ATK finally began to crank up the pressure in search of an equalizer. Pune keeper Simonsen, who did not have much to do for most part of the game, made a spectacular save from an Iain Hume effort that looked destined for a goal.