I-League: Chidi Sweeps Pune Aside

The striker scores his second hattrick of the league season...

13-Nov-2009 8:34:02 PM

More On :  Mohun Bagan, Pune FC
Chidi Edeh, East Bengal Vs Mohun Bagan (Mango Peel)

Pune FC's hopes of bagging a win in the first phase of the I-League were washed away by Chidi Edeh, as the Mohun Bagan striker scored a hattrick at the Balewadi Sports Complex on Friday. Bagan went into the break 1-0 up, and Chidi added two more in the second period, before Pune's Douhou scored from the spot late on for a consolation goal to make it 3-1.
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The home side started with Edmar up front, with Arata supporting him, while the visitors gave Tomba Singh a rare start, with Chidi Edeh playing up on his own again. The atmosphere, as always, was fantastic at the Balewadi Sports Complex, with chants of "PFC! PFC" doing the rounds on a more-than-regular basis.

However, the home side couldn't use it too much to their advantage, as their attacking play left a lot to be desired at times. When they did have the ball, they went forward well, but most of their attacks broke down in the final third.

No such problems for Bagan, though, as they took the lead in the 36th minute, with Chidi Edeh scoring his first goal since the game against Lajong. It was an easy finish, with him slotting home after a low cross into the box.

Chidi almost scored a second soon after, but his curling effort after a neat turn in the box was put out for a corner. The striker then collided with Subrata Paul before half time, with both sets of players coming together in a heated argument. Chidi was down injured, but recovered in time.


And what a recovery it was, as he looked dangerous after the break as well, as one effort in the 53rd minuted whizzed just over the bar. Godwin Franco also had a go for the home side soon after, but he missed the target as well, one of Pune's biggest failings on the day.

The home side paid for their poor finishing, as Chidi doubled Bagan's lead in the 63rd minute, in a goal almost identical to the first one. Pune made a few changes, with the disappointing Edmar going off, but nothing worked for the home side as Chidi completed his hattrick in the 79th minute, scoring of Tomba Singh's pass, who had a good game.

Franco tried his luck again for Pune, this time after he went past his marker inside the box, but his low drive was inches wide of the post.

The match was meandering to a close, and Chidi was taken off just before the 90 minutes were completed, to a rousing applause from the home fans as well, in a great show of sporting spirit.

However, Pune were to get a consolation goal, as they were awarded a penalty in injury time, after Arata was hauled to the ground. Douhou stepped up to take the spotkick, and slotted past Shilton Paul to finish the game 3-1.

Atishay Agarwal
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