Pune FC pip Salgaocar, bag top spot

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Pune FC skipper Nikhil Kadam (right) vies for the ball with Salgaocar FC defender during their I-League Under-20 match in Jamshe

Pune FC kept their winning run intact clinching a five-goal thriller against Salgaocar FC 3-2 in the final phase of I-League Under-20 in Jamshedpur on Monday.

Pune’s consecutive win ensured them of the top spot in the league table. The victory was doubly sweet for Pune, who had lost to Salgaocar 1-2 in the group stage.
Pune were led by a twin strike from striker William Lalnunfela (20th and 55th minutes) and a goal from skipper Nikhil Kadam (60th). Salgaocar FC fought back through Albino Pereira (44th) to level scores at half-time, before striker Melvin Fernandes (85th) struck a consolation goal.
The game began with the Goans pushing ahead and testing Pune FC goalkeeper Avilash Paul in the opening minute. However, he did well to collect the ball.
A minute later, Salgaocar’s Conny Dias and Nevin Pereira went head-on into each other resulting in a stoppage. Both players had to be rushed to the hospital, leading to Salgaocar FC making early substitutions.
Pune settled and pushed ahead but the opponents — despite the set back — did well to hold out. The Goans, in fact, had Rayman Fernandes take the first long range attempt after Stendly Miranda set him up from the left. The try lacked punch, but kicked up ahead of Paul on the way wide.
On Wednesday, Pune will face Mohun Bagan at the same venue.
With two wins, Pune have set the pace and will look to build on the advantage.
The clash will be the first for both the teams in the tournament.
Pune’s head of youth development Ranjan Chowdhury said, “As contenders it is turning out to be a challenge to maintain performance match after match, but we are out on a mission.
“In fact, this year most of the clubs have prepared to face each other in this prestigious competition.”
Both Pune FC (six points) and Bagan (four points) go into the game having won their last round matches. Bagan posted a fluent 2-0 win over traditional rivals East Bengal.
“They (Mohun Bagan) are an established club, with the support of two academies based in Durgapur and Jalpaigudi respectively for the past 10 years,” said Chowdhury.