Pune: Jeje Lalpekhlua and Katsumi Yusa scored one goal each as Mohan Bagan defeated Pune FC 2-0 in an I-League Round-19 encounter at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi on Saturday.
Striker Lalpekhlua (5th minute) and winger Katsumi (76th) handed Pune FC their fifth loss of the season and the third at home.
Having dropped points, Pune FC (23 pts) stayed in the fifth place while Mohun Bagan (31 pts) increased their lead at the top.
With this game, Pune FC ended their home campaign in the league with four wins, three draws and three losses.
Going into the game, Pune FC Coach Karim Bencherifa made four changes handing starts to Srikanth Ramu, Darko Nikac, Edgar Marcelino and Dhanpal Ganesh.
The game began in frantic pace with both sides attacking the goal. However, it was Bagan who capitalised on a defensive lapse and took the lead in the fifth minute. Denson Devdas' ball in from the left wasn't cleared properly by the Pune FC backline and striker Jeje slotted home from close in a melee on the goalline.
Having conceded early for the second game in a row, Pune FC began to press up from the flanks but were falling short in the final third. Meanwhile, at the other end, Jeje once again went close after getting into the clear on the left but his grounder drifted wide.
Midway through the half, Pune FC went close when Srikanth earned a corner on the right. Lalrempuia Fanai's flat ball towards the first post was sent over by Luciano Sabrosa on the run.
As the half progressed, Pune FC began to see more of the ball but were finding it hard to penetrate into the box.
Defender Munmun Lugun sent in a couple of crosses from left but the Bagan backline managed to clear.
Pune FC made the first change in the final five minutes of the half as Coach Bencherifa brought in striker Prakash Thorat in place of Ganesh to add more firepower up front.
In the final minute of the half, Pune FC had a close chance when Edgar was fouled by Sehnaj Singh outside the box.
But Ryuji Sueoka failed to capitalise sending his effort on the set-piece over as the half ended with Pune FC trailing 0-1.
The second half began in similar fashion with both sides attacking from the word go. After a few chances at the either end, Pune FC went close in the 57th minute. A deep freekick floated in from the right flank by Edgar was palmed away by Bagan keeper Debjit Majumder. Off the ensuing corner, Munmun went close but his effort from the left sailed just over the horizontal.
Minutes later, Bagan's Sony Norde had a good low attempt from a freekick just outside the box saved by goalkeeper Amrinder Singh to keep Pune FC in the game.
At the other end, it was Pune FC who let go of another chance in the 65th minute. Edgar curled in a low cross from the right on the edge of the box. Sueoka who timed his run to perfection managed to get a good touch but his half volley went way over.
As Pune FC put men upfront, Bagan capitalised and doubled their lead in the 76th minute. Norde's deep cross in from the left was headed home by Katsumi from close range leaving Amrinder no chance in the Pune FC goal.
Down by two goals, Pune FC tried hard in the final quarter but were falling short in the final third. In the 81st minute, Pune FC had another chance when Luciano Sabrosa took a crack on a second ball from range, but his effort was saved by the keeper.
Pune FC continued to push up in the final minutes of the game but the rivals managed to hold on for a 2-0 win.
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