Defending champions Pune FC went down fighting 0-2 to hosts DSK Shivajians ‘A’ in the semifinals of the Ashok Vanjari Memorial Cup at the DSK Football Field in Loni on Saturday.
First half goals from Sidney Colaco (19th) and Arif Shaikh (25th) handed Pune FC their first loss of the competition.
In a game of equal exchanges, Pune FC had the first chance of the game in the fifth minute. Winger Pawan Pratap beat his marker on the right and cut into the box but then fired his attempt wide from close range.
Meanwhile, at the other end, hosts Shivajians took the lead in the 19th minute capitalising on the Pune FC backline’s failure to clear the ball as Sidney slotted home from close.
A minute later, Pune FC almost pulled level only to be denied by the framework. Midfielder Sanchayan Samadder laid off a beautiful through pass for striker Farukh Choudhary who then chipped it above the advanced Shivajians’ custodian, but the ball bounced on the upper side of the horizontal and went over.
Minutes later, Shivajians doubled their lead after another defensive error. This time ex-Pune FC striker Arif Shaikh found the net after keeper Anuj Kumar failed to keep his shot out.
Eight minutes later, Pune FC were once again denied as Pawan’s powerful shot from close range was cleared off the line by a defender after the goalkeeper was beaten.
Pune FC went into the breather trailing 0-2.
The second half was a completely physical affair as both sides battled hard in the midfield. Despite that, Pune FC managed to hold the ball better but were falling short in the final third.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Shivajians were constantly denied by the Pune FC defense and custodian Anuj pulled off a brilliant diving save to deny the hosts in their only dangerous attack.
Pune FC, on the other hand, kept pushing forward and created a couple of close chances through Sanchayan and Farukh in the final minutes. However, both were denied by some last ditch defending from the home side as the game ended 2-0.
