Pune FC once again wrote history. This time it was by making it to their first major national tournament semifinal.

On Monday, Pune FC, needing a win against Air-India to log this historic moment, did just what the need was to enter the last-4 of the 124th Durand Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi.

Goals by substitutes Paresh Shivalkar (74th minute) and Rollingson Hyungyo (84th) helped Pune FC etch another landmark in their existence which dates back to 2007. In fact, Pune FC rallied from goal-down-situation when former Air-India striker and former Pune FC player Sandesh Gadkari nodded home from a corner-kick in the eighth minute of play.

The victory was a major achievement for Pune FC who fell short in a similar situation in the IFA Shield 2010-11 season - the only difference was Pune FC back then needed a point to qualify from the last match against Shillong Lajong, but ended losing.

Incidentally, for Pune FC a semifinal berth in the third oldest tournament of the world comes in its third attempt after bowing in the qualifying stage in 2008 and failing to make it past the group stage by finishing second last year.

The win helped Pune FC top Group-3 unbeaten with four points and now run into defending champions Prayag United (formerly Chirag United SC).

Well aware of their task, Pune FC started their game fielding six players who figured in the Blackburn Rovers FC match two days back. The players included ‘keeper Shahinlal Meloly, defenders Chika Wali, Anas Edathodika, midfielders Lester Fernandez, Douhou Pierre and striker Subash Singh.

The experienced line-up were on their way early when Subash converging on a Lester pass, courtesy a cheeky interception by the midfielder, released a long ranger that went past the two players ahead of him but over.

Pune FC pushed hard and minutes later Chika moving up with Srikanth Ramu had his header go wide off at the near post. However, at the other end Air-India in a counter won a corner off an Anas Edathodika deflection. Air-India’s Napolean Singh who took the corner found Sandesh send in a diagonal header home from eight yards out.

Thereafter, Pune FC launched their attacks, but fell prey to Air-India’s clever tactics of having eight men inside their half to cut off all supplies. Despite the crowding ploy employed, medio Maninder Singh, on the left, cut in to have a right-footed go that went wide. Fast moving Lester then got past two players to curl a right footer that missed the second post.

While Pune FC struggled to force open Air-India’s citadel a three-attempt situation beginning with Subash volleying goalward a Srikanth cross, then Douhou trying off the rebound and Lester also getting in a shot which found the goalkeeper once and a maze of legs on other counts was testimony Air-India’s crowded defence.

Air-India, who also sniffed a chance of qualifying, relied on counterattacks with Herry Ezeh upfront and Soccor Velho and Allan Dias providing the links. The ploy worked and troubled Pune FC and on one instance, Henry managed to turn from top of the box only to find the horizontal come in his way.

Changing ends, Pune FC introduced Rollingson for Anas, and started with Maninder flying a good attempt in the opening minute.

Thereafter, striker Jeh Williamson was brought in place of central medio J Prasad to help out Subash upfront, and in the bargain pulled back Douhou Pierre in the midfield. The move worked, Jej-Subash added thrust, did a couple of runs between themselves but somehow could not crack the Air-India.

The introduction of Paresh in place of Maninder on the left wing paved way for the equalizer. Lester moving down the middle took two players in his stride and from inside the penalty box passed to Paresh who controlled, ran forward to intelligently chip over goalkeeper Pawan Kumar who committed himself to a dive.

Ten minutes later, it was Rolling who helped Pune FC script history. Off short corner taken by Lester, Douhou weaved past a defender and sent in a minus pass from the goalline. As the ball strangely found its way past a host of legs, unmarked Rolling from the edge of the box finished with a fierce shot that found the far net.

Victory over Air-India was Pune FC’s third in eight meetings of which their Mumbai rivals have won 3 and two matches have ended in draws.