Margao: Pune FC scored a hard-fought 2-1 win over Dempo FC, in an exciting match which saw both the teams reduced to 10-men, to move to third place in the Hero I-League on Saturday.
Pune FC scored a goal in each half through Drako Nikac (9th minute) and Fanai Lalrempuia(68th) at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
While Dempo, who had better scoring chances, reduced the margin through substiute Tolgay Ozbey.
The win takes Pune FC to third place with 23 points from 14 matches. While Dempo FC remained on 8th place with 13 points from 13 matches.
Both the teams played attacking game from the start and always looked for opening which saw the visitors taking the lead in the 9th minute when defender Prabir Das failed to intercept Munmun Timothy Lugun cross from the left and Dhako Nikac shot home beating keeper Laxmikant Kattimani.
Dempo, undeterred by the set back went on in search of the equaliser and nearly found midway in the first half when Carlos Hernandes long range effort was put out by diving keeper Arminder Singh who was outstanding under the bar.
Just when Dempo started dictating terms to their rivals referee Ranjit Bakshi gave marching order to Prabir Das for abusive language against the referee.
The numercial figure gave advantage to the visitors who started to hold midfield superiority before Dempo again came close to find the equaliser but once again keeper Aminder Singh prevented Jewel Raja from scoring as he dived to put the ball out.
After the change of ends, Dempo kept on the pressure and Carlos Hernandes who had a good match in the midfield saw his shot blocked by defender Edathodika.
Pune FC who did well to soak the pressure came with a counter move and increase the lead in the 68th minute when Fanai Lalrempuia who received the ball on the top of the box took an angular shot which rival keeper Kattimani dived but failed to put the ball out.
But Togay Ozbey who came as a substiute reduced the margin when his left footer beat keeper Aminder Singh.
Three minutes later, Pune FC were reduced to 10-man when Dhanpal Ganesh received his second yellow card. Dempo tried their best but they failed to get the equaliser with substiute Clifford Miranda failing to find the net in the dying minutes.
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