FC Pune City’s home woes in the Hero Indian Super League continued as they dropped precious points in a 1-1 draw against Chennaiyin FC at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Balewadi, Pune, on Sunday.
Chennaiyin FC arrived in Pune on the back of two successive victories against FC Goa and NorthEast United and the defending champions appeared good enough to continue with their winning run, thanks to a stunning goal from Jeje Lalpekhlua in the 28th minute.
PuneCity, however, rescued a point late in the game after Anibal Rodriguez scored from a free-kick in the 82nd minute.
The draw left FC Pune City with just five points from their first five matches – four of them played at home – while Chennaiyin FC moved to the third spot with eight points.
Pune coach Antonio Habas returned from a four-match suspension and the Spaniard was at his dramatic best on the sidelines but at the other end, it was the inclusion of Jeje in the starting line-up for Chennaiyin FC that should have made heads turn.
Jeje, who was relegated to the bench for the last two matches by coach Marco Materazzi decided to throw him into the starting mix due to his excellent record against Pune.
Jeje got into action when Jeje won the ball against a challenge from Pune defender Eduardo Ferreira. After winning possession, Jeje struck a stunning lob when star goalkeeper Edel Bete was out of position. Bete tried to backtrack and rescue the situation but Jeje had just enough power to carry the ball into the goal.
Chennaiyin FC were extremely disciplined at the back, allowing very little room for Pune. The only time Pune managed to test their rivals was from a distance as Jonatan Lucca and Jesus Tato’s efforts sailed just wide of the target.
In the second session, Chennaiyin FC had a great chance to kill the match.
In the 48th minute, defender Eli Sabia’s long ball was picked up by Dudu Omagbemi and his close range shot was parried away by Edel Bete. The rebound fell kindly for Hans Mulder but, under pressure from Rahul Bheke, Mulder couldn’t give the finishing touches.
Just when it seemed Chennaiyin FC would become the first team in this edition of ISL to notch a hat-trick of victories, Pune scored the equaliser.
Anibal Rodriguez took a wonderful free-kick from just outside the box by in the 82nd minute that finally overcame a resolute Chennaiyin defence and sailed past a diving Chennaiyin goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr.
Image: Chennaiyin FC's Jeje Lalpekhlua celebrates on scoring against Pune City FC in Pune on Sunday
Photograph: ISL
