FC Pune City recorded their first three points of Indian Super League 2016 as they recorded a 2-1 win over FC Goa in their second match of the season at Fatorda Stadium in Goa. The home side, coached by Zico, dominated proceedings throughout the match, but it was the away side that capitalised on defensive errors to clinch the match.
After an initial slow start, the match came to life in the later stages of the first half as former Atletico de Kolkata midfielder Arata Izumi gave Pune the opening blood in the 26th minute after he slotted home a rebound ball from a powerful shot taken by Jonatan Lucca from way outside the box.
Goa custodian Laxmikant Kattimani had parried the ball away to prevent Jonatan's shot on goal on the first occasion, but couldn't prevent Arata's shot from getting inside the net.
The home team struck back soon in the 33rd minute as a major defensive howler from experienced India team defender Gouramangi Singh saw the travelling ball from Kattimani get a header from Jofre Matteu and Rafael Coelho was right there to complete the proceedings and level the scores.
Virat Kohli, who notched up his 13th ton in Test cricket on Saturday in the Indore Test against New Zealand, had wished Goa ahead of the match. "Unwinding after a long day with some football. Come On FC Goa, may the force be with you," Kohli tweeted following the proceedings of the first day of the final Test match.
In the second half, the introduction of Romeo Fernandes gave Goa that much needed impetus in the attack which they really needed. The likes of Joffre, Coelho and the pacy Indian winger combined efficiently to carve out a lot of chances in the half. Julio Cesar da Silva, who was introduced as a substitute for Reinaldo, also took a lot of potshots on goal, but two-time ISL winner Edel Bete was up for every challenge.
The best chance of the half came in the 83rd minute when Coelho took a powerful shot on goal, but Edel was yet again there to make the save. The attacking index was dominated by FC Goa and the away team had little to no chance to make any kind of a penetration to try and get the winning goal.
On the 90th minute, however, Momar Ndoye, who came in as a second half substitute, showcased his brilliance as he dribbled past Lucio and Co to take a powerful drive on goal and score the all-important goal that gave their side all the three points and their first win of ISL 2016.
