Today FC Pune City head coach Antonio Habas will face his former employers Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) for the first time when they host the former champions here in an Indian Super League (ISL) football encounter.
Antonio Lopez Habas spent two years at the majestic Salt Lake Stadium and managed ATK to victory in the first season and to semi-finals.At his time FC Pune City has been a bit different, though. Pune are yet to win a match at home in the ISL and half of their six points have come from three draws.
“The team is working hard. They tried to score but they failed but they fought to the last minute. That’s a good thing. Always the same problem though for us.” Habas said after his team was pushed to the bottom following their solitary goal loss against FC Goa.
ATK have 12 points from seven matches and will occupy the top spot with a win in Pune at the Balewadi Sports Complex. Where ATK have retained the maximum number of international players for this season.
In the start of first 10min, Helder Postiga almost scored what would have certainly been the goal of the season. He received the ball in midfield and ran forward into space. He was still a fair distance away from goal and the ball curled away to scrape the side netting. Quite an attempt that. Ian Hume was taken down by a crunching challenge and hence got a freekick.
GOAL! FC Pune City 1-0 ATK
The corner was beautifully swung in by Lucca, and it was headed powerfully in by Eduardo. To think just a couple of minutes ago,he was stretchered off the field to the Ambulance waiting at the touch line. But he has made the difference and have given FC Pune City something to defend while he is gone. Brave stuff from Eduardo.
During the start of 2nd half, Pune play some neat football as Tato, Traore and Lenny play the ball around in pretty little triangles.
GOAL: FC Pune City 2-0 ATK (Anibal 55′ pen.)
FC Pune City demanded a penalty for handball from PRITAM and a yellow card for him
and they got it. It looked like a harsh one to give but a hand ball it was. Anibal stepped up to take the kick. His shot hit the goalkeeper on its way in. Pune in dreamland, ATK players with their hands over their heads.
GOAL: FC Pune City 2-1 ATK
Referee pointed to the spot and this time it was ATK who takes benefit of the spot kick. The man with the whistle sensed that Sissoko had pushed Postiga and gave the penalty. It was a loose one to give. Hume took the shot, Bete saved it first time but the ball came right back to foot of Hume who scored. ATK right back in it.
Pune have tried to put together an attack and have finally got a free kick from almost thirty yards out. Hanibal tries to hit it direct but it hands up in the goalkeeper’s hands. Pune are just about holding on and a goal here would have done them a world of good.
ATTACK INDEX:
Fc pune city (2-1) Atletico de kolkata
42% ball possession 58%
7 shots 5
17 fouls 15
4 corners 6
The final whistle is blown by the refree. And that’s that! FC Pune City were kept on the ropes until the very end by Atletico de Kolkata but somehow, they held on. Iain Hume’s goalm in the 69th minute gave Kolkata a glimmer of hope and they did pounce on the chance. But Pune kept absorbing the attacks and the end, they came out on top. their first home victory of the season.
Both teams played well. FC PUNE CITY secured 6 position with 9 points in the points table. whereas atletico de kolkata with 12 points at 3rd position.
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