Pune run roughshod over Churchill

Margao: Pune FC pounced on defending champions Churchill Brothers Sports Club’s defensive frailties for a 3-0 victory in a quarterfinal league tie of the 127th Durand Cup at Raia sports complex on Friday. Ganesh Dhanpal, Izumi Arata and Thongkhosiem Haokip were among the goals for Pune FC who, despite the victory, trooped out with long faces after goalkeeper Amrinder Singh was sent off in the final minute of play. When referee Rahul Gupta flashed the red card at Amrinder -- his second bookable offence, both time wasting -- Pune FC coach Karim Bencherifa had used all three substitutions, paving the way for Izumi Arata to guard the goal for little more than a minute.There was no damage done by their already crippled rivals but with another group game still to be played, Amrinder’s needless bookings could come to haunt them. In an evening match, United Sports Club scored a 2-1 win over Air India. Bencherifa should be reasonably happy with his side’s fluent play and build-ups, although it came against a team that is still trying to find its feet follow-ing massive departures at the end of last season. With Luciano Sobroza at the back and Ryuji Sueoka in the middle as Pune’s preferred foreign players, the visitors were in control of the proceedings, rarely troubled by either Odafa Okolie or any of his teammates. It was clear by the first five minutes that Pune FC would not exactly have to probe and tease in order to make chances. The reckless defending at the other end would provide them hope and sure enough, in the seventh minute, the floodgates opened. Sueoka, always a dangerous customer, aimed his freekick straight at the goal-mouth and, hastily cleared by the defenders, Dhanpal was on hand to turn it home from handshaking distance as everyone else simply watched in bewil-derment. The second goal, six minutes into the second half, saw the defence fumble again, this time Rovan Pereira’s faulty clearance allowing Arata a free run in-side the box and only the goalkeeper to beat. He accepted the gift and said thank you after planting the ball inside the net. Churchill enjoyed possession for some time around the hour mark but without really testing the rival goalkeeper. The introduction of Nigerian striker Sunday Nwadialu -- sacrificing a Nigerian at the back -- did not help swing things in Churchill’s favour either. United SC came from behind to down Air India 2-1 in a group “B” quarter-final evening league match at Raia Panchayat ground. United SC finished their league engagement on three points from two matches and are behind Sporting Clube de Goa who also have three points but have a better goal difference and a game against Air India in hand and better goal difference. All Sporting need is a draw against Air India to make the semifinals. Air-India took an early lead in the 3rd minute through Siddharth Nayak only to lose the advantage 11 minutes later, conceding a penalty. Air-India keeper Vian Joseph brought down Surojit Bose inside the box while to palm off an aerial ball. Referee B Nagoorkani awarded a penalty comfortably converted by Babun Das. The equaliser proved to be a shot in the arm as United stepped on the gas and made several forays into the Air India box. Their sustained pressure finally bore fruit when Sujay Oram’s long lob was knocked into the goal by defender Santosh Koli who attempted to clear the ball on the goalline. Air India came close to snatching the equaliser but Sagar Chile was ruled off-side after he found the net. Vijith Shetty too came close but his long ranger sailed inches over the bar.