Pune FC Under-19s went down fighting 0-2 to LFC-DSK Academy in a second round clash of the Evolve Cup 2015 at the DSK Football Field in Loni on Wednesday.
The hosts struck twice in the first half itself to hand Pune FC their first loss in the preseason competition. The result meant Pune FC (3 pts) dropped down to second place in the standings behind leaders LFC-DSK Academy (6 pts) with a game in hand.
On a rainy evening, Pune FC began the game cautiously and held firm at the back in the early exchanges. After a few half chances, Pune FC had back-to-back close chances at the quarter hour mark. Both strikers Balkar Singh and Farukh Choudhary, were set up by winger Md. Yasir in a space of sixty seconds but the duo failed to capitalise on the opportunities.
Meanwhile, at the other end, the hosts took the lead against the run of play in the 20th minute. An attempt on a direct freekick from just outside the box went into the net after hitting the goalkeeper as it came off the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead capitalising on a defensive lapse from Pune FC to give LFC-DSK Academy a 2-0 lead.
At the other end, striker Farukh Choudhary went close from range, but his powerful dipping shot sailed inches over the horizontal as Pune FC went into the breather trailing by two goals.
Pune FC had a good start to the second half and created a couple of chances early on but once again it was the killer finish that was lacking.
Throughout the half, multiple chances fell for Farukh, Yasir and Sannik Murmu, but the trio weren’t able to capitalise as LFC-DSK Academy preferred to consume time and see out the game.
Meanwhile, Pune FC finished the game with nine players when defender Gursimrat Singh and medio Sanchayan Samadder were sent off in the final quarter.
