PUNE:
FC Goa injected fresh vigour into their campaign as they snatched three points from their away match win against
FC Pune City here in the
Indian Super League on Thursday. This was Goa's second win of the season.
The much-needed win elevated Goa to seventh while Pune get relegated to the bottom.
Goa coach Zico will breathe a sigh of relief as the win keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for the semis. Brazilian striker Rafael Coelho's free kick in the 32nd minute sealed Pune's fate for yet another loss at home as co-owner Hrithik Roshan watched from the stands. They have yet to win a match on home turf this season. The initial 20 minutes of play failed to ignite any enthusiasm though Zico's boys showed more intent than their opposition.
First blood went Goa's way off a brilliantly taken setpiece by Brazilian striker Rafael Coelho in the 32nd minute. Pune defender
Augustine Fernandes
brought down medio Joffre Gonzalez outside the goal box. Coelho bent the ball past the wall and goalkeeper Edel Bete making it look effortless.
Tempers rose just before the halftime whistle. Pune's Dramae Traore and Goa's
Luciano Sabrosa
clashed mid-air going for an aerial ball. The latter sustained a cut on his forehead. A heated argument ensued between Pune's Anibal Rodriguez and Goa defender
Rafael Dumas
just near the teams' dugout while rest of the players converged. Things, however, simmered down as both Rodriguez and Dumas received yellow cards.
More action followed as Pune attacked with vigour. But Goa keeper Laxmikant Kattimani stood like a rock denying Jonatan Lucca first and then
Jesus Tato
in the second session action swung both ends. Goa striker
Robin Singh was the first substitution of the night to be replaced by Raju Gaikwad. Joffre Gonzalez made way for Reinaldo Da Cruz.
Pune coach Antonio Habas summoned in Sanju Pradhan in place of Lenny Rodrigues and Rodriguez made way for Senegalese Momar Ndoye. Bruno Arias who came is for Tato made a mess of a setpiece in the 82nd minute crashing the ball straight into the wall.
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