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Prayag United 1-1 Pune FC: Big spending Kolkatan outfit knocked out of Federation Cup
Derrick Perreira's men maintain unbeaten start thanks to Arata Izumi's second half equalizer but need to beat Salgaocar in their next game to make the semi-finals...
By John Vaz
AIFF
Prayag United bowed out of the Federation Cup, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Pune FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur, on Saturday.
An early strike from former A-League star Carlos Hernandez gave the Kolkatan side hope, until midway through the second half, when Izumi Arata headed home from a corner. The result kept Pune FC's qualification hopes alive, while also condemning Prayag to a group stage exit from the tournament.
The game began in enthralling fashion, with both teams posing a threat in front of goal. Carlos Hernandez in particular looked to flourish in midfield rather than upfront. Proof of this came as early as the 2nd minute when he floated a ball into the box only for Ranti Martins to fail to connect with it. Again in the 6th minute, he opened up the defence with a dink into the box which Ranti headed wide. For Pune, Jeje Lalpekhlua was creating a lot of scoring opportunities, but he shot wide.
This wayward finishing proved costly as Prayag went ahead in the 14th minute. Vineeth CK, playing in place of Lalkamal Bhowmick, headed down a Malswaltluanga corner, which Carlos finished from close range. The goal seemed to have galvanised them as in the next minute they were denied a second goal by the post.
From that point on Pune FC seemed to take a hold of the match with midfielder Arata having two efforts in two minutes. Towards the end of the half, Ranti Martins looked to make an impact on the match with Carlos shooting over a rebound from his shot. The Red Lizards had an almighty scare just before half time, but their defender cleared the ball off the line after keeper Amarinder was taken out by a brilliant cutback from the right.
Pune came out fighting in the second half, with their play in the attacking third a massive improvement. Gurjinder Singh put in a low cross into the 6 yard box only for all the attacking players to miss it. Carlos came close to scoring his second but his direct free kick was saved by an alert Amrinder. Pune's enterprising play finally bore fruit, as Arata headed home from a well taken corner involving captain Douhou.
The goal seemed to instill confidence in them, as they piled on the pressure on the Prayag defence. Chances came their way but they failed to make it count. The match may have ended in a draw, but it will be Pune who will take a lot of positives from the match
The result puts Pune in second place behind Salgaocar, setting up a 'winner-takes-all' scenario in their last match against the defending champions. This also effectively ends Prayag's Federation Cup hopes, with their last match of the campaign inconsequential.
An early strike from former A-League star Carlos Hernandez gave the Kolkatan side hope, until midway through the second half, when Izumi Arata headed home from a corner. The result kept Pune FC's qualification hopes alive, while also condemning Prayag to a group stage exit from the tournament.
The game began in enthralling fashion, with both teams posing a threat in front of goal. Carlos Hernandez in particular looked to flourish in midfield rather than upfront. Proof of this came as early as the 2nd minute when he floated a ball into the box only for Ranti Martins to fail to connect with it. Again in the 6th minute, he opened up the defence with a dink into the box which Ranti headed wide. For Pune, Jeje Lalpekhlua was creating a lot of scoring opportunities, but he shot wide.
This wayward finishing proved costly as Prayag went ahead in the 14th minute. Vineeth CK, playing in place of Lalkamal Bhowmick, headed down a Malswaltluanga corner, which Carlos finished from close range. The goal seemed to have galvanised them as in the next minute they were denied a second goal by the post.
From that point on Pune FC seemed to take a hold of the match with midfielder Arata having two efforts in two minutes. Towards the end of the half, Ranti Martins looked to make an impact on the match with Carlos shooting over a rebound from his shot. The Red Lizards had an almighty scare just before half time, but their defender cleared the ball off the line after keeper Amarinder was taken out by a brilliant cutback from the right.
Pune came out fighting in the second half, with their play in the attacking third a massive improvement. Gurjinder Singh put in a low cross into the 6 yard box only for all the attacking players to miss it. Carlos came close to scoring his second but his direct free kick was saved by an alert Amrinder. Pune's enterprising play finally bore fruit, as Arata headed home from a well taken corner involving captain Douhou.
The goal seemed to instill confidence in them, as they piled on the pressure on the Prayag defence. Chances came their way but they failed to make it count. The match may have ended in a draw, but it will be Pune who will take a lot of positives from the match
The result puts Pune in second place behind Salgaocar, setting up a 'winner-takes-all' scenario in their last match against the defending champions. This also effectively ends Prayag's Federation Cup hopes, with their last match of the campaign inconsequential.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In IST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Edeh Chidi Striker East Bengal |
5 | 3 |
|
Manandeep Singh Striker East Bengal |
4 | 1 |
|
Koko Sakibo Striker Dempo |
4 | 0 |
|
Dawson Fernandes Striker SC Goa |
3 | 2 |
|
Clifford Miranda Midfielder Dempo |
3 | 0 |