Pune FC ended their campaign with a second place finish in the 33rd Federation Cup. In their last Group-C encounter, Pune FC played out a goalless draw with Mohammedan Sporting.

The match turned into a fight for group placements and evaporated Pune FC’s chance of qualifying after Dempo SC failed to take points off East Bengal in the first match of the day at the Yuba Bharati Kriangan. Pune FC were heavily banking on the Goans to spoil the Kolkata side’s party in order to squeeze into the semi finals – however the final script was not to be.

Pune FC (4 points) finished behind East Bengal (7 pts), while Dempo SC (3 pts) and Md Sporting (2 pts) brought up the rear of the final standings.

With the game robbed of interest, Pune FC’s primary intention was to sign off on a high despite having to deal with several starting XI absentees, which included the injured trio in custodian Subrata Paul, defender Chika Wali and striker Mandjou Keita.

Pune FC, instead, brought in youngsters — defenders Rollingson Hyungyo, K Srikanth and medio Karma Tsewang and rested Othallo Tabia, Caitano Costa, Shanmugam Vekatesh and Jeje Lalpekhlua.

The changes meant a new defense line-up with Srikanth and Kamaljeet Kumar playing on the right and left respectively and Rollingson and Gurjinder Kumar playing central defence. In the mid-field, Karma and Maninder ran the wings with Lester Fernandez and Baldeep Singh playing on the inside.

Upfront it was Arata, who started with Subash Singh and also had the responsibility of leading the side. For Arata it was the first time that he led the side, while for Srikanth, Rolling, Maninder and Karma it was their first start of the season in Pune FC colours.

The late evening match was a game of missed chances for Pune FC. Arata opened proceedings going close with a miscued half chance kick from close. But at the other end, Pune FC survived with the opponents hitting the post.

A mix up in the Pune FC defense involving Kamaljeet and Md Sporting’s Surajit Bose on the top of the box led to the latter going way over.

Having gone through the early blues, Pune FC settled down but not after the game was held up for close to five minutes owing to the white taping that Md. Sporting players sported on their black colour stockings.

As play resumed, Karma from the right did well to find Arata inside the box who eventually lost out to a defender. In response, Suroj Mondal on a break on the left had Lester concede a 25-yard free kick, which ended when the opponents were off side at the far post.

As honors were even, it was the hardworking Arata and Subash who almost got the scoreboard move. Converging into the clear, Subash received his skipper’s pass and found himself in a one-on-one with custodian Sukeb Ghosh. However, a faint touch by the keeper upset subash’s run and in the bargain the ball skewed up and out from a yard or so inside the box.

Closing out the first session, in the second it was Arata on deep run to the goalline on the left, which ended in a defender clearing that suggested Pune FC’s intentions.

Bringing on Jeje Lalpekhlua (for Baldeep) added reason to the Pune FC’s purposeful intent. As a result, Pune FC had Jeje-Subash upfront, while Arata marshaled central midfield.

A long ranger by Jeje and Subash’s run cut down by the opposition summed up their familiarity. Pune FC then added Shanmugam Venkatesh (for Maninder Singh) and Othallo Tabia (for (Karma) to the team. The additions made a visible difference as attacks were more purposeful and dominating.

A Subash miss from close and then Jeje, on the left running deep and slamming the side net with just keeper ahead was frustrating. With Arata’s shot blocked by the keeper for a corner and the Pune FC ‘keeper Amrinder Singh saving a stiff attempt by Surabuddin Mollick the game closed with Pune FC doing better with the experienced legs on field.