Mohammed Rafi's brace went in vain as FC Pune City defeated Kerala Blasters 3-2 in match no. 22 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2015 at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Tuesday.
One could not have expected an edge-of-the-seat thriller of a game in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2015. The game began on a super-exciting note as the visitors drew first blood.
Mohammed Rafi headed a floating cross from Chris Dagnall past Steven Simonsen of FC Pune City. Blasters took 45 seconds open the scoring. It was a wonderfully set up goal from the visitors. The goal was the fastest goal of the ISL 2015.
Soon after the goal, Tuncay Sanli's cross came to Bikash Jairu but he missed a golden opportunity. FC Pune City's skipper Didier Zokora also came very close to equalise in the 1th minute of the game. He blasted one through the Kerala Blasters defense but Stephen Bywater's save denied them off the equalising goal.
Nicky Shorey was really effective in the left flank. In the 16th minute, Kalu Uche equalised with a brilliant header from Shorey's cross. Few minutes later, Shorey floated yet another outstanding cross into the penalty box and Uche made no mistake. And the FC Pune City went ahead in the game in the 23rd minute.
The home team could not defend their crucial lead for long as they conceded yet again. Rafi received Josue's cross and the Blasters forward found the back of the net to draw level in the game in the 30th minute.
This has indeed been an outstanding season for Rafi. He now has scored 4 goals in three matches in the ISL 2015.
FC Pune City are a side who always look for more goals and in the 71st minute of the game, Tuncay headed one cross from Shorey into the back of the net and put the home side in the driver's seat. The third goal from Tuncay proved to be the winner and powered Pune to the top of the ISL 2015 points table.
Shorey was absolutely stunning in their clash against Kerala Blasters. Whenever he was trying to find a player with his crosses and through balls, he did with precision. Blasters could not find a way back after they conceded the third goal.
Peter Taylor will noe have to worry about a number of things as his side have lost three games in a row. Blasters are reeling at the bottom of the points table and on the other hand FC Pune City have gone right at the top of the points table of ISL 2015. Meanwhile, David Platt can afford to relax before they take on the might of FC Goa in their next game at their home ground.
